The Goode Guide

In this episode Shanarra sits down with finance educator Kara Stevens to get under the surface. Kara pulls back the curtain on how childhood scripts, corporate pressure, and that “treat-yourself” mentality keep high-achieving women stuck in fear or guilt—even when the paycheck looks great. Together, we unpack why healing comes before spreadsheets, how to build a wardrobe and a nest egg you love, and the step-by-step plan Kara used to fund a dream move to Ghana. Grab your headphones and a journal; this one’s part money master-class, part therapy session.

Time

Topic

00:00 Welcome back to The Goode Guide—why money makes even confident women squirm

01:35 Meet Kara Stevens & the origin of The Frugal Feminista 

04:45 College debt, default notices, and Kara’s library epiphany

08:20 When the numbers look good but anxiety still screams—healing vs. hustling

12:40 Shanarra gets vulnerable: generational money fears & “reward” spending

18:05 The confidence closet: success pressure, designer bags, and diminishing returns

23:30 Budgeting that doesn’t feel like punishment—track ➜ bucket ➜ pay yourself first

29:10 Sinking funds, thrift magic, and Rent-the-Runway hacks

32:55 Funding big dreams: how Kara de-risked a leap from NYC to Ghana

37:40 Coaching women leaders: uncoupling worth from consumption

41:30 Advice to 20-something Kara—“Take more risks. Don’t forsake today for a maybe tomorrow.”

44:50 Quick-fire listener Q’s: budgeting solo, partner money dates, travel funds

47:15 Free tools: Kara’s “Break Up With Broke-ness” kit & 5-Day Financial Reset 

48:10 Where to find Kara

Resources & Links

• Kara’s site & freebies: https://www.thefrugalfeminista.com/
• Instagram: @frugalfeminista ihttps://www.instagram.com/frugalfeminista
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-stevens-edm-37882b12/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrugalfeminista

Break Up With Broke-ness Kit: Download inside Kara’s community hub.

In this solo episode, Shanarra Goode opens up about the career funk many of us don’t talk about—feeling uninspired, outgrowing a role, and craving more purpose and alignment. She explores what it really means to recognize when it’s time for change, how to keep showing up with integrity, and why remote work still matters.

If you’re reevaluating your path, this one’s for you.

🔑 What You’ll Hear:

[3:01] Feeling stuck despite professional success
[9:44] Remote work vs. returning to “normal”
[11:35] Recognizing when it’s time to pivot
[13:22] Why honest conversations with leaders matter
[14:50] Wrapping things up with pride
[16:34] Expanding your network (even if it’s out of scope)
[18:23] Promotion vs. flexibility—what matters more
[21:53] The power of prayer, clarity & daily vision-setting

In today’s episode, I sit down with Cate Luzio, founder of Luminary, a global, gender-inclusive professional education and networking platform built to uplift and propel women and allies at every stage of their career journey. We talk about why intentional community matters now more than ever, the power of showing up as your full self at work, and the evolution of leadership through connection.

Cate’s story is a masterclass in bold pivots, purposeful leadership, and building impact with heart. We explore what it looks like to shift from corporate finance to founding a mission-driven platform, how to create programming that actually serves people, and why the best mentoring is rooted in relationship—not formality.

Whether you’re climbing the ladder, shifting gears, or dreaming up what’s next, this episode will remind you that you don’t have to do it alone.

🧭 Episode Highlights + Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Goode Guide
01:30 – Why Community is the Heart of Growth
04:00 – Cate’s Pivot from Finance to Founding Luminary
06:50 – The Power of Inclusive, Multi-Generational Networks
10:20 – Digital Expansion + Building Belonging Across Borders
14:40 – Reprioritizing Career & Life After the Pandemic
17:10 – Creating Safe, Supportive Spaces for Women and Allies
20:55 – What Makes an Intentional Community Work
25:00 – Men in the Room: Allyship & Engagement in Practice
29:00 – Programming with Purpose: Built by the Community, for the Community
33:45 – Leading with Your Whole Self at Work
37:15 – What Professional Fulfillment Actually Looks Like
42:10 – Lessons in Mentorship, Sponsorship & Organic Connection
46:30 – Career Growth Isn’t Always Linear—And That’s Okay
52:00 – What Cate Would Tell Her 25-Year-Old Self
54:10 – Where to Find & Connect with Cate Luzio and Luminary

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Luminary: weareluminary.com
Connect with Cate on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cateluzio
Follow Luminary on Instagram: @weareluminary
Learn more about The Goode Guide and coaching: thegoodeguide.co

🎧 Listen to the full episode now and don’t forget to leave a review if this conversation sparked something for you. You showing up here helps others do the same.

In this episode of The Goode Guide, I sit down with the brilliant Shellye, an accomplished executive and the author of Unapologetically Ambitious. Shellye shares her journey from the early days of her career, navigating barriers in the tech industry, to becoming a CEO and mentor for the next generation of leaders. Her journey isn’t just about professional success; it’s about overcoming the odds and leading with purpose. We dive deep into her book and discuss what it truly means to embrace ambition without hesitation, especially as women.

Shellye opens up about how ambition, often viewed negatively when it comes to women, can be a powerful force for change and personal growth. She sheds light on the importance of vulnerability and sharing your goals with others to help you reach them. Plus, we talk about building high-performance teams, the challenges of leadership, and why strategic career planning is essential to growth. This episode is packed with insights on how to create lasting impact while staying true to your ambition.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace your ambition without apology. Women often hold themselves back due to societal perceptions of ambition, but it’s time to own your desires and aspirations.
• Build high-performing teams by recognizing different skill sets, fostering trust, and creating clarity on team goals.
• The key to leadership is not about titles—it’s about your ability to inspire and lead with integrity.
• Strategic career planning is essential, but it needs to consider not just your job, but your whole life. Keep your vision broad and include those who are part of your journey.
• Vulnerability and ambition go hand in hand. To achieve your goals, you need to open up, share your aspirations, and build a network of support.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Welcome to The Goode Guide: Introduction to Shellye and her impressive journey.

00:01:25 - From Corporate to CEO: Shelley shares her early days in tech and how she rose to the top.

00:06:15 - Unapologetically Ambitious: The meaning behind the title of Shellye’s book and why it’s important for women to embrace ambition.

00:09:32 - The Power of Vulnerability: How being open about your goals and challenges can accelerate your success.

00:12:30 - Building High-Performance Teams: Shellye’s advice on assembling teams with complementary skills and fostering trust.

00:15:45 - Strategic Career Planning: The importance of having a long-term vision and including your personal life goals.

00:19:50 - Leadership Lessons: How Shellye defines leadership and the traits that make great leaders.

00:22:00 - Mentorship and Impact: The importance of mentoring the next generation of leaders.

00:24:20 - Advice for Women Aspiring to Leadership: Shelley’s top advice for women looking to make an impact in their careers.

00:27:00 - Wrapping Up: Final thoughts on staying unapologetically ambitious and making a lasting impact.

Resources Mentioned:

• Unapologetically Ambitious by Shellye
• Shelley's mentorship program: Ignite Ambitions

Follow Shelley on LinkedIn and Instagram

In this episode of The Goode Guide, Abriana Allen joins Shanarra in an exciting discussion about career development and workplace success strategies. Abriana is a trailblazing talent acquisition leader helping companies build diverse teams. With over four years of experience recruiting for top tech companies, she understands what it takes to attract top, diverse talents.  Today, Abriana and Shanarra offer valuable insights gleaned from their extensive career transitions and advancements, along with practical tips on leadership, diversity, and more. Stay tuned for an enriching discussion!

The Meeting

[1:54]

Shanarra first met Abriana in 2015 while working at the same company, with Abriana being the only other black woman on their team.

Career Pivot

[5:59]

Abriana reflects on her career journey, highlighting her intentionality in transitioning roles and prioritizing the team member experience. She pivoted from Excel grids to talent acquisition after realizing that her purpose was driving impact for people, not just the business.

Compensation Strategies

[11:13]

Abriana discusses the challenges of transitioning between functions, especially during end-of-year reviews, and emphasizes the importance of having compensation conversations throughout the year rather than waiting until review time.

Equity in the Workplace

[16:50]

Abriana always requests a compensation review to ensure her pay reflects her impact and experience, rather than just asking for more money.

Opportunities for Improvement

[20:26]

Surrounding yourself with people who are driven, insightful, and focused on both short-term and long-term goals, as well as those who advocate for themselves in terms of career and compensation, is very important.

Accountability, Transparency, and Attracting Talent in Recruitment

[26:32]

Abriana provides practical tips for college students and recent graduates to showcase their skills and impact in the job market.

Job Market Strategies

[29:49]

Abriana suggests leveraging Google and AI to research and craft a LinkedIn summary that aligns with your purpose and passion, utilizing technology to stand out in the competitive job market.

Follow Abriana on:

LinkedIn

Join Shanarra in this episode of The Goode Guide as she shares various insights and strategies to advance your career in the long run. She'll also delve into tactics for securing a salary increase, self-advocacy, addressing the gender pay gap, and more. Stay tuned for valuable tips and advice!

The Pay Gap

[3:31]

Shanarra delves into the gender pay gap in the US, highlighting a statistic of women earning 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. Shanarra emphasizes the crucial role of women negotiating their salaries to address and narrow the gender pay gap.

Negotiation Tactics for Salary Increase

[9:16]

Shanarra shares her negotiation tactics, which include advocating for additional pay during job offers. She underscores the significance of market research and confidence in effective negotiation strategies.

Strategies for Job Offers

[12:47]

Shanarra advises knowing your value and setting realistic expectations during salary negotiations. She recommends practicing your negotiation pitch and anticipating potential questions from the other party. Shanarra also highlights the importance of expressing excitement and enthusiasm during negotiations to maintain a positive atmosphere.

The Importance of Self-Advocacy

[20:26]

Be open to compromise and consider the entire package when negotiating an offer. Shanarra emphasizes the significance of negotiating salary based on hard facts and confidence in your experience. She encourages listeners to take action and implement the tactics she provided in the episode to negotiate their salary effectively.

Follow Shanarra on:

LinkedIn

Welcome to The Goode Guide, your ultimate career companion! In this episode, I'm joined by the incredibly talented Kristie Keever, a brand and marketing strategist who helped me take The Goode Guide to the next level. Kristie and I met several months ago, and through our work together, I’ve learned the importance of building a strong brand foundation. And trust me, I had a lot more questions than answers when I first started.

In this episode, we dive deep into what brand clarity is all about and why it’s crucial for anyone looking to expand their business or personal brand. We explore the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating a brand, the foundational pillars you need to focus on, and why doing the hard work upfront pays off in the long run. Kristie shares her expertise on everything from understanding your target audience to developing your mission and vision. If you’re an entrepreneur or simply someone looking to step up your career game, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Kristie explains how she helped me move beyond a vague idea to a clear, actionable brand strategy that truly feels authentic to my purpose. We also discuss the journey of discovering my target audience, refining my mission statement, and the importance of defining your brand’s voice and tone. And of course, we touch on how to make all of this scalable and sustainable while staying true to your unique style.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Welcome and Introduction: Meet Kristie Keever, Brand Strategist
• 02:45 - Kristie’s Approach to Brand Clarity: A Deep Dive into the Process
• 05:10 - What Goes Into Building a Brand: The Four Core Pillars
• 10:30 - How to Find Your Target Audience: Understanding Demographics and Psychographics
• 15:00 - Crafting a Mission and Vision Statement that Reflects Your Authenticity
• 20:00 - Why Community Matters: How Kristie Helped Me Discover the Importance of Building a Supportive Network
• 25:00 - The Power of Brand Voice and Tone: How to Stay Consistent and Authentic
• 30:00 - The Transformative Process: Christy’s Advice for Entrepreneurs and Women in Leadership
• 35:00 - Kristie’s Advice for Her 25-Year-Old Self: Trust Yourself and Take Action

Resources Mentioned:

• Christy Keever’s Website
• Christy on Social Media: @KristieKeever
• The Goode Guide Website – Check out new resources, courses, and coaching offers!

Thank You for Listening: If you loved this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend, loved one, or colleague who’s on their own career journey. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Goode Guide podcast so you never miss a beat. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll catch you in the next one!

Welcome back to Season 3, Episode 2 of The Goode Guide. Trust me, I am absolutely buzzing with excitement to share what’s next for this brand. This episode is all about the next evolution of The Goode Guide. While the podcast will always be the heart of this community, I’m expanding what this platform offers to give you even more of the support you need to thrive in your career and leadership journey.

This is so much more than just a podcast update. This is a whole new chapter. Whether you’re stepping into leadership, working to overcome imposter syndrome, or looking to break through those career plateaus, you’re in the right place. I'm here to guide you with boldness and authenticity as you build the career you've always dreamed of.

In this episode, I dive into everything that’s been cooking behind the scenes: leadership coaching, new courses, interactive workshops, and a growing community that’s going to support you through every career win, challenge, and plateau.

But don’t worry, the podcast isn’t going anywhere! The Goode Guide will continue to be your go-to resource for candid leadership advice, real-world career struggles, expert insights, and practical tips. Plus, I’ve got some big plans in the works, including live episodes and audience Q&As. Trust me, there’s so much more to come.

What’s Coming Next:

• Leadership Coaching: One-on-one and group coaching focused on career growth, leadership, and self-confidence.
• Courses and Workshops: Courses that focus on executive presence, confidence, and career advancement — perfect for women stepping into leadership or looking to level up.
• Interactive Community: A supportive community of women who understand the challenges and wins of being in leadership and business.
• More Podcast Fun: Solo episodes, expert interviews, live recordings, and audience interaction to deepen the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome Back to The Goode Guide: Kicking off Season 3, Episode 2 with a special update
02:30 Why The Goode Guide is Evolving: Shanara shares the motivation behind the brand's evolution and what’s coming next
05:00 Leadership Coaching & Community Building: Why supporting women in their leadership journeys is the next step for The Goode Guide
09:10 The New Offering: Courses, workshops, and coaching — all designed to help women grow confidently in their careers
11:20 Brand Tone & Voice: Understanding the authenticity, boldness, and relatability that defines The Goode Guide
13:00 What’s Coming for You: How these updates will impact you — whether you’re a listener, a future client, or part of the community
16:00 Shanara’s Challenge: Think about where you are in your career right now. How can The Goode Guide support you through your next big career moment
18:00 New Website Launch: The Goode Guide’s new website is now live. Visit and explore the new offerings
20:00 Next Episode Sneak Peek: Tune in for a candid conversation with Shanara’s brand strategist, Christy, about the brand-building process
22:00 Wrap-Up: Shanara shares how to stay connected, where to find all the resources, and what’s next for The Goode Guide

The Goode Guide Website: thegoodguide.co – Check out new courses, coaching, and more!
Follow The Goode Guide on Instagram: @thegoodeguide

In this episode of The Goode Guide, I’m kicking off season three with a personal update and a look at the exciting new direction for my career and my brand. After a season of growth and change, I’m finally settling into my new home in Minneapolis and reflecting on the journey that got me here. From moving across the country to realigning my life and career, I share what led to this bold decision and what’s next for The Goode Guide.

In this episode, I open up about why I made the move from Los Angeles to Minneapolis, how the decision to leave LA came with its own set of challenges, and how trusting my gut led me to the city that feels like home. The process of settling in, the struggles of unpacking and adjusting to a new routine, and even the surreal experience of watching LA face the devastating fires from across the country are all part of this new chapter.

I also take the time to discuss what’s next for The Goode Guide. I’m excited to announce that I’m expanding the brand beyond the podcast to include webinars, one-on-one coaching, and—my personal favorite—a community space for women in business to come together for support and growth. This episode marks a major pivot, and I can’t wait to share what the future holds for The Goode Guide.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Welcome to Season 3 of The Goode Guide: A fresh start and personal updates.

00:02:15 - My Decision to Move from LA to Minneapolis: Why the decision felt right and how it’s aligning with my career goals.

00:06:35 - The Challenges of Relocating: The emotional and physical journey of unpacking, settling in, and adjusting to a new life.

00:09:50 - The Impact of LA Fires: Watching from afar and the sense of community that arose during a time of crisis.

00:13:10 - Reflecting on My Time in LA: How my relationship with the city evolved and why I felt ready to move on.

00:17:00 - Introducing The Future of The Goode Guide: Expanding the brand with webinars, one-on-one coaching, and building a community for women in business.

00:21:00 - What’s Next: How The Goode Guide is evolving into a space where women can connect, share, and support each other’s leadership journeys.

00:23:30 - Wrapping Up: Feeling settled in Minneapolis and looking forward to the future of The Goode Guide.