The Female Insight Zone

By The Female Insight Zone & C-Suite RadioBusiness Careers

The Female Insight Zone episodes

September 03, 2016 Debra Duneier: Creating Incredible Success Stories Using Feng Shui

Ever wondered why sometimes you just don’t have the energy to get through the day? Maybe it was because of your environment all along.
In today’s episode, Maribeth interviews Debra Duneier, a certified eco-designer, LEED associate, and feng shui practitioner who will open up about the secrets of how to make your space work for you in a very holistic way.
Debra will talk about Eco Chi, a company she started that focuses on designs that have a unique combination of green and sustainability, while incorporating classical feng shui and modern environmental psychology. She will also tell of her success stories on helping turn around the lives and businesses of people with just a few special touches in their everyday spaces. Moreover, she will also give some tips on how you too can improve your space and help bring on a more positive mindset.
While your success largely depends on your attitude, having the right surroundings to support you in your goals will help bring you closer to them. Let Debra enlighten you on the small things you can do today to attract good fortune and live a better life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The importance of designing your space in the right way in order to support you in your goals.

• How Debra has created a holistic system of interior design that is eco-friendly, sustainable, and made to bring out your positive energy everyday.

• How feng shui can be used together with modern environmental psychology in order to elevate the human experience in different spaces.
Tweetables:
• It’s about the human interaction in a space, and how it influences people to be healthier, happier, and to reach their goals.

• According to the energies that are present, this is where we really work our magic and our creativity as designers.

• Let’s see what happens when you change this, and when you are actively looking at everything you want to bring into your life.
Big Takeaways:
• Surprising as it may seem, your surrounding environment plays a big factor in your mood and overall attitude. Simple interior design tips can actually help bring out your best everyday.

• You do not need to spend millions of dollars to bring into your life everything you want. A good positive mindset surrounded by a nurturing environment may be what you need to attract those successes.
Related Links & References:
• Debra’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-duneier-37a48b10

• EcoChi: http://ecochi.com/

• Living Home By Debra: http://livinghomebydebra.com/

• EcoChi: Designing The Human Experience by Debra Duneier (the book): http://ecochi.com/the-book/

• Debra Duneier on Martha Stewart Living Radio (part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMpQ6RNQRqA
27 min
August 25, 2016 Tracy Samantha Schmidt: From The Youngest Reporter at TIME To Sharing The Secrets To Social Media
Just how good is your social media marketing strategy? Get some tips on how to become more social media savvy in today’s interview with Tracy Samantha Schmidt, a top social media educator and strategist who founded her own firm, Socially Authentic, to help enterprises improve their social media strategy design.
Tracy will talk about her experiences as a journalist for companies like Time Magazine, especially with how she started out by covering the rise of Facebook. She will also touch on her experiences as she established her very own firm, as well as some lessons she learned while being managing the million-dollar website ChicagoNow. She will also discuss her opinions on the future and trends of marketing, and point out some mistakes many people make when it comes to using different social media platforms.
While the social media landscape is constantly changing, strategists like Tracy help keep you on top of the game. Listen to Tracy now to get some ideas on how you can engage more people and attract more business with social media.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How Tracy stayed afloat when the journalism industry imploded in 2009 and the need for social media strategists arose.
• The importance of being updated on the latest trends of social media marketing.
• Some forecasts on how marketing to audiences will be like in an increasingly digital world.
Tweetables:
• Whether you’re in the C-Suite or HR or sales, you need to know social media now.
• If a businessperson doesn’t understand how to use (social media), it can be detrimental to their career.
• SEO, Content Marketing, UX design… All these apply to marketing now. They need to know the latest tactics in order to stay competitive.
Big Takeaways:
• Social media is a big part of the world today, and it can be an effective marketing tool if used in the right ways.
• Social media is constantly changing, but it is important to be aware of the latest trends in order to effectively reach out to and engage people to and for your business.
Related Links & References:
• Tracy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracysamanthaschmidt
• Tracy’s Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/tracysamantha
• Socially Authentic: http://www.sociallyauthentic.com/
• The Sunday Night Memo (sign up form): http://sociallyauthentic.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9397dd43285f6d6a38f5b1906&id=02215d39cd

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26 min
August 18, 2016 Sharon Vinderine: How She Developed A Popular Consumer Seal Of Approval for Families

How do you build from scratch a credible organization that offers a sure seal of approval from 70,000 families nationwide? Find out in today’s interview with Sharon Vinderine, a TV personality and CEO of Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA), a company known for giving a guaranteed seal of approval for family-friendly products.
Sharon will talk about the humble beginnings of the PTPA, and how she made it grow into a well-known organization whose Seal of Approval is among the top 3 recognized seals in the US today. She will also discuss the challenges she has encountered, and still encounters, in running her self-funded business, for which she got an award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015. Moreover, she will touch on her thoughts about how to connect better with your kids, and how to unlock their full potential by giving them the right opportunities.
It may be challenging to build a company without initial trust or credibility, but that didn’t stop Sharon from making Parent Tested Parent Approved the success it is today. Let Sharon show you how to achieve such heights in your own business, while remaining a trusted and family-centric personality.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What Parent Tested Parent Approved is all about, and why families all over trust the PTPA Seal of Approval.

• How to launch, market, and run a self-funded business while remaining genuine and credible.

• One of the biggest obstacles all entrepreneurs encounter, no matter how rich, famous, and successful they currently are.

• What parents can do to bring out their children’s full potential.
Tweetables:
• We are representing what the parents love, what our consumer testers love. And that’s the best kind of validation you can get on a product.

• We need to challenge the younger generation more… They have the potential; they’re just not challenged enough to use that potential.

• Hardship in life is a thing that helps get you through life.
Big Takeaways:
• It can be difficult to build a legitimate company that will be known for its credibility and seal of approval on products and/or services, especially if you do not have a partner in business. But what’s important is staying true to your mission in the business and to its value proposition.

• All successful entrepreneurs encounter the same challenges when building up a business, so it’s a good idea to learn how other successful businesspeople have championed through obstacles and succeeded in being established companies.

• The young people, such as your kids, have a lot of unlocked potential inside them. Sometimes, you need to challenge them to bring out that potential.
Related Links & References:
• Sharon’s AboutMe: https://about.me/SharonPTPA

• Sharon’s LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/sharonptpa

• Sharon’s Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/PTPASharon

• Parent Tested Parent Approved (consumer site): http://ptpa.com/

• Parent Tested Parent Approved (for business inquiries): http://ptpamedia.com/

• The Connectors by Maribeth Kuzmeski: http://www.theconnectorsbook.com/

• The Engaging Child by Maribeth Kuzmeski: https://www.amazon.com/Engaging-Child-Children-Relationship-Technology/dp/0971778035
23 min
August 11, 2016 Andrea March: Taking Her Experience Founding Multi-Million Dollar Businesses and Giving it Back
Many remarkable women have made their mark in the field of business, but the truly exceptional ones are continuing to pass on their knowledge to other promising women. In today’s podcast, listen to the insights of Andrea March, a long-time entrepreneur who founded and ran multi-million dollar businesses and is a co-founder of the Women’s Leadership Exchange (WLE), an organization dedicated to supporting women leaders.
Andrea will talk about the experiences that led her to form the WLE, and how it has helped and empowered more than 40,000 women to date. She will also discuss her new initiative with regards to helping bridge gender parity in the corporate world. Besides this, she will touch on her own thoughts and experiences in founding Military Women Exchange, an organization dedicated to assisting women veterans transition to civilian life.
Women have to support each other in order to gain ground for breakthroughs that would benefit the entire gender, but everyone, male or female, should work together to affect lasting change. Join Andrea in her commitment to change the world, one woman at a time.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How the Women’s Leadership Exchange has been helping women in business, from entrepreneurs to the corporate world.
• Who the usual guest speakers that are most looked forward to in WLE summits are, from inspiring professionals to well-established businesswomen.
• The best ways to make a significant difference to gender parity in the workplace.
• The challenges in helping women veterans transition to suburban life.
Tweetables:
• These are women who have shifted the paragon of the way women are perceived as individuals.
• My whole idea is that we (women) have to support each other.
• Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Big Takeaways:
• The Women’s Leadership Exchange, along many other social entrepreneurship organizations, has helped and supported many women develop themselves for their various pursuits. However, true change lies in both men and women working together towards gender equality.
• It may take a while to see significant strides in the gender issue, but every incremental success counts, as it is a step towards giving future generations more opportunities.
• There will always be challenges that seem unsurmountable, but the key is to keep working on them nevertheless and to keep raising awareness to these issues.
Related Links & References:
• Andrea’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamarch
• Women’s Leadership Exchange: http://www.womensleadershipexchange.com/
• WLE Thought Leadership Summit 2016 – Atlanta: https://www.womensleadershipexchange.com/index.php?pagename=atlanta2016§ionkey=852
• Military Women Exchange: http://militarywomenexchange.com/

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31 min
August 04, 2016 Leslie Grossman: Link Out: Solutions in a Digital World for Old School Success
Just how important is relationship-building to business, despite it not being part of your job description? A firm believer in relationships and collaboration, Leslie Grossman, author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the Women’s Leadership Exchange, speaks of the importance of face-to-face communication today.
She talks about her book “Link Out”, which has her findings on the best ways to connect with people in order to further your business and career. She discusses as well what she discovered to be the common factor most successful women have. She also shares some tips on how to connect with people better, especially for those who have quiet and introverted natures.
No matter what industry you are in, relationships are necessary for your personal growth and career advancement. Let Leslie inspire you to connect and collaborate with others in genuine ways in order to become wildly successful.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The best way to build trust and genuine relationships with other people.
• Why collaboration is important in business and in gaining more opportunities.
• What the most exceptional sales people have in common.
• Tips on how to network better.
Tweetables:
• We need to link out… and actually meet with people face-to-face if we’re going to build trust and relationships.
• We have to get out of the “me” generation and become more of the “we” generation to build trust and have the best results for everyone.
• I think whenever we can create something wherein everyone wins, (we) make magic.
Big Takeaways:
• Even though there are many ways to connect with people today, face-to-face communication trumps the use of digital tools and social media. Having conversations this way is the best method to build trust between people.
• Having genuine curiosity and care for other people makes you understand others better, and, as a result, you will find out what makes them tick and what motivates them in order for them to collaborate with you.
• Collaboration goes a long way to advancing careers and building organizations.
Related Links & References:
• Leslie’s website: http://lesliegrossmanleadership.com/
• Leslie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliegrossmanvistage
• Leslie’s Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/leslie_connect
• Women’s Leadership Exchange: http://www.womensleadershipexchange.com/
• The Everest Project: http://www.everestproject.org/
• Link Out by Leslie Grossman: https://www.amazon.com/Link-Out-Network-Lasting-Connections/dp/1118380584/
• The Connectors by Maribeth Kuzmeski: http://www.theconnectorsbook.com/
• Give And Take by Adam Grant: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Take-Helping-Others-Success/dp/0143124986

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31 min
July 29, 2016 Janet Salazar: UN Representative Shares a Real Solution for Diversity
While the world has seen many women stake their claims as leaders, there is still a gap between genders in terms of leadership. In today’s episode, Janet Salazar, human potential activist and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, talks about a solution to bridge the gap and create real change. She discusses her innovative dialogue series, Conversations with Men™, a pioneering and groundbreaking executive forum with the mission of engaging men in leadership roles to accelerate women’s leadership at the top, and achieving gender equality.
Janet relates her own experiences with taking on responsibility and management, and how that helped her gain her position in the UN and establish Impact Leadership 21, a social enterprise dedicated to sustainable leadership worldwide. She also discusses her thoughts on leadership, and the importance of having men be champions for women leaders.
While the world still has some distance before achieving a better balance between genders in terms of leadership, Janet’s initiatives are paving the way for a future for the best and brightest leaders, whether male or female.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Just how big the gap is between men and women in leadership roles.
• How Impact Leadership 21 has been empowering men and women for sustainable leadership.
• What the Conversations With Men forum has been doing to bring awareness about this disparity.
• Why Janet wishes to someday do away with the term “women’s leadership”.
Tweetables:
• I believe that the changes that need to happen have to come from conscious decision from leadership.
• At the end of the day, it really boils down to humanity and being human. There is no gender.
Big Takeaways:
• Many organizations, such as the United Nations, have been working to empower both men and women for leadership positions. Notably, the leaders of the private sector are highly influential in this scenario, and making them aware of their influence is a key step to bridging this gap.
• Women leadership is not just about salary increases or positions. It is about realizing the economic impact that women bring to the table as well, and involving them to be part of it.
• Having conversations with male champions of female empowerment is a powerful tool that can help advance gender equality in leadership.
Related Links & References:
• Janet’s official website: http://www.janetcsalazar.com/
• Janet’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetcsalazar
• Janet’s Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/janetcsalazar1
• Impact Leadership 21: http://www.impactleadership21.com/
• Conversations With Men: http://www.impactleadership21.com/conversations-with-men.html

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32 min
July 21, 2016 Jessica Robinson: Postpone The Big Promotion-For The Right Reasons

Ever wondered whether you should take that opportunity, despite it not fitting into your ultimate objectives?
Take advice from Jessica Robinson, CEO and founder of PurePoint International and board member of several non-profits, such as World Pulse and the UN’s Women Committee on Private/Public Partnerships.
She will talk about her own rise through the ranks, from working in the private sector to managing her very own international firm. Besides talking about her passion in volunteering and empowering women, she will speak of the different opportunities she has had along the way, and why she has been particular about which ones to take.
Even if you are presented with a number of great choices, Jessica will remind you of the importance of moving at your own pace and being clear about your career goals.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The importance of having a set mind towards your ultimate career objectives.

• Why you should always think twice before accepting every opportunity that comes your way.

• The importance of physical and cyber security, especially in an international perspective.

• How a simple platform helps many women overcome their day-to-day struggles.
Tweetables:
• Every opportunity that comes our way may not necessarily be for us, no matter how great it looks.

• I can continue to move at my own pace and choose positions and roles that are right for me because of (my) ultimate goal.

• It doesn’t matter what happens. You can always come back to it… Just continue to move forward.
Big Takeaways:
• Everyone is presented with a number of opportunities that may seem amazing to everyone else. You do not, however, need to take on every one that comes your way. It pays to be careful and thoughtful before making a possibly risky choice.

• It can be devastating to find out that things do not always go your way. However, it is good to take that chance to learn from others and develop yourself in order to be ready for future positions and opportunities.
Related Links & References:
• Jessica’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-a-robinson-22740311

• Jessica’s Twitter handle: http://twitter.com/jessrobin96

• PurePoint International: http://the-purepoint.com/

• World Pulse: https://www.worldpulse.com/en
28 min
July 07, 2016 Dorri McWhorter: Remember the YWCA? An Innovative Transformation for Women Empowerment
The YWCA has had a long legacy for providing social services to a number of different communities. Learn more about its journey of transformation from a 140-year-old social service agency to a twenty-first century social enterprise in today’s interview with Dorri McWhorter, the current CEO of YWCA Chicago and one of the top women innovators listed in Chicago’s #TheBlueNetwork.
Dorri tells the story of how her experience in a number of corporate positions gave her the perspective to find new solutions for the YWCA’s transformation. She also talks about the YWCA, and how it has remained true to its vision while being able to find its own foothold in modern society. She touches as well on her thoughts about having more women tapped for the boardrooms of many other companies and organizations today.
While remaining true to its vision, the YWCA has enjoyed a welcome transition in modern society. Learn from Dorri, as she talks about the YWCA’s initiatives and how you too can be empowered to engage people and be involved with your community today.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The importance of exposure to different situations in providing new solutions to any organization or company.
• How YWCA Chicago has been able to raise awareness on their vision of eliminating racism and empowering women.
• What women can do to find opportunities for career advancement and boardroom positions.
Tweetables:
• We’ve really raised the visibility of the YWCA and the work that we do, so people are aware that these things are happening… right in their backyard.
• It’s about what you do in your day-to-day work, but it’s also about extending that network and keeping that professional circle well-populated so you can have access to opportunities.
Big Takeaways:
• It is a good idea to be exposed to a number of different situations, as they may give you the perspective to find solutions and growth in a number of different areas in the future.
• Among the first steps to take in helping a community, raising awareness about a key issue is very important. In today’s modern society, there are a number of ways to make people aware of problems that may just be happening in their backyard.
• Career advancement, even appointments to the board of directors, rely not only on the work you do, but also on the network you have. Being involved in communities and organizations will help expand your network and make you open to many opportunities.
Related Links & References:
• Dorri’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorrimcwhorter
• YWCA Chicago website: http://www.ywcachicago.org/
• #NotThatComplicated: http://www.ywcachicago.org/notthatcomplicated/
• YShop.org: http://yshop.org/
• National Association of Corporate Directors’ website: https://www.nacdonline.org/
• The Mayor’s Commission for a Safer Chicago: www.cityofchicago.org/saferchicago

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25 min
June 30, 2016 Deborah Hicks Midanek: Getting Your Voice Heard in the Boardroom
What does it take for a woman to make her voice heard in a male-dominated boardroom?
Find out from Deborah Hicks Midanek, a seasoned corporate director and executive who has sit across multiple boards and has helped provide solutions for more than 60 companies in corporate America.
She talks about her own humble beginnings, and how she worked to propel herself to the top of the corporate ladder. She also discusses how she claimed her own authority in boardrooms where it can be a struggle to join the dominant conversation.
Deborah then touches on how many companies are opening up to more females in the boardrooms. She also gives tips into what both men and women can do to position themselves at such high rungs in a company.
Power in the board does not always lie in asserting your ideas and making everyone agree to them. Rather, it is about being able to project your views while making others see that you are worth listening to. So listen in as Deborah gives some handy tips on how to communicate your authority in any position.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Tips on how to overcome your fear and other challenging obstacles.
• How a woman can voice her authority in a male-dominated company.
• What leaders in boardrooms are really looking for when getting representatives for the board.
• A surefire way to make men hear the registers in a female voice.
Tweetables:
• There’s no such thing as failure. Every single thing that happens in one’s life is a blessing, and the question is in finding the gift in each individual event.
• The energy that goes into stopping yourself from doing something translates into energy that is propelling you forward.
• Slow down, and don’t try for that opening and play on their terms. Simply play on your own terms.
Big Takeaways:
• You may face a lot of challenges and fears in your everyday life, but learning how to harness that energy into a productive outlet can be a powerful tool that can motivate you to take on bigger challenges.
• Making your voice heard in a boardroom is not about asserting your power and having everyone agree with your ideas. It is about being able to convey your views in the right way while helping to bring the other members into a decision that will benefit the company.
Related Links & References:
• Deborah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahhicksmidanek
• Solon Group’s website: http://solongroup.com/

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34 min
June 23, 2016 Barbara Stanny: Prince Charming Isn’t Coming – How she lost everything, got it back, and then some!
Ever wonder how women with six-figure salaries ended up so successful?
Learn their secrets from Barbara Stanny, a best-selling author who has been featured on CNN, Fox, CNBC, and other notable publications. She talks about how financially successful women have understood the concept of power from a female perspective, and how they have harnessed that in order to have financial independence.
She relates her own personal and devastating experiences with money, and how she turned her life around by learning from other successful women. She mentions how she wrote her books, like “Prince Charming Isn’t Coming: How Women Get Smart About Money” and “Secrets of Six Figure Women: Surprising Strategies to Up Your Earnings and Change Your Life”, in hopes of helping other women become financially free as well.
Besides advice on money matters, Barbara also gives a perspective on what makes a woman with passion and strength powerful. She talks about the common traits she has seen among successful women, and what they have done to keep themselves committed to what they do.
Being financially successful is something many people yearn for. So listen as Barbara gives helpful tips and advice that can help anyone achieve their deepest purpose while being financially stable.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The importance of asserting your power in financial matters.
• Three reasons why women tend to under-earn.
• The one thing all successful women have.
• How to prepare for your first TV appearance.
Tweetables:
• My definition of a powerful woman is someone who knows who she is, who knows what she wants, and expresses that to the world unapologetically.
• The number one requirement for going to the next level is the willingness to be uncomfortable, because success always lies outside your comfort zone.
• Having passion was so much more important than their education, their talent, and their knowledge.
Big Takeaways:
• Experiencing difficulties with money has very little to do with actual money. It actually has something to do with your concept of power, and learning how you can assert your own power will help you become more financially independent.
• In the world of work, it is important to toughen up if you want to be successful. However, it is also important to have friends, family, and peers that can help support you outside your business life.
• Passion helps you have a deep sense of purpose, and will help you get over all obstacles if you truly believe in it. It is also one of the things that many successful people have that helped propel them to where they are today.
Related Links & References:
• Barbara’s website: http://barbarastanny.com/
• Barbara’s books: http://barbarastanny.com/books-products/
• Money Monday: http://barbarastanny.com/seminars/money-mondays/
• The “Zone of Genius” in Gay Hendricks’s The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear And Take Life To The Next Level: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level-ebook/dp/B0026772QU/

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28 min

About The Female Insight Zone

From the publisher's feed

The Female Insight Zone is a 30-minute podcast sharing insights from women who have made an indelible mark in business and the path they took to soar. In each episode, host Maribeth Kuzmeski…