By Kelsey Donlon
The Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey Donlon is ready to disrupt corporate America! This is a space for candid conversations and deep dives into the complexities of the workplace. The mission: to empo
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The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.
Welcome back to another episode of The Grey Areas Podcast! I am thrilled to be here with you all again, diving into inspiring stories and meaningful conversations. Today, I am joined by the incredible Danielle Moss, a true powerhouse in the world of content creation and entrepreneurship.
Danielle's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. As the founder of The Everygirl and The Everymom, and co-founder of Anecdote, Danielle has carved out a path that blends passion, purpose, and profound resilience. Her story took a significant turn when her daughter's cancer diagnosis prompted her to reevaluate her priorities, leading to a renewed focus on both personal happiness and professional fulfilment. Since then, Danielle has welcomed a third child and embraced a balanced life that allows her to create content that deeply resonates with her audience.
Today, we delve into Danielle's evolution through challenges, the pivotal role of trusting her instincts, and the intricacies of entrepreneurship. Join us as we explore her journey from starting her blog in 2007 to becoming a celebrated entrepreneur and advocate for women's empowerment.
Listen in for more:
• 6:15 - The beginning of Danielle’s blog and its transformative evolution over the years.
• 10:30 - The time in Danielle’s life where she jumped into entrepreneurship as a blog designer.
• 19:45 - The inception of The Everygirl and the dynamics of building and leading a team.
• 27:30 - Networks that helped her overcome the early stage hardships or challenges of entrepreneurship.
• 34:00 - Danielle’s decision to sell half her company and how it impacted her life, as well as prompting her to support others in similar situations.
• 40:00 - A glimpse into Danielle’s daily life and how she balances her various roles with grace and purpose.
• 46:15 - Cubicle Confessions: Making a career change with financial risk.
Tune in to hear Danielle Moss's inspiring journey firsthand and discover invaluable lessons in resilience, intuition, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship. This episode promises to enlighten and empower you on your own path to success.
Danielle’s Links
Website
Instagram
Substack
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
Welcome to another insightful episode of The Grey Area’s Podcast! This week, I am thrilled to sit down with Stephanie Lemek, a seasoned Culture, Talent, and HR expert with over 16 years of experience. Stephanie's journey spans from large-scale corporations to dynamic startups, where she has honed her expertise in HR, culture, and talent strategy. With a special focus on the built environment, Stephanie supports construction and engineering teams, navigating their unique challenges and rewards.
Stephanie is deeply passionate about creating inclusive organizational cultures where everyone can thrive. Her research in trauma-informed workplaces is groundbreaking, helping leaders understand and address the impacts of trauma on employee engagement and well-being.
In this episode, we delve into critical topics:
• 12:15 - Workplace and HR strategies tailored for the construction industry.
• 18:15 - Tactical examples of creating trauma-aware workplaces.
• 21:30 - 7 principles of trauma-informed workplaces.
• 27:30 - How to implement and measure the impact of these principles.
• 34:00 - Various power dynamics within organizations.
• 40:00 - Insights into how the 7 principles can aid new managers facing challenges in their roles.
• 54:00 - Cubicle Confessions segment: work-life balance and specific challenges new managers encounter.
Join us as we uncover strategies to foster supportive workplaces and enhance employee engagement. Tune in for an episode packed with practical advice and deep insights into creating thriving organizational cultures. If you found value in today's discussion, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing the podcast on your favourite listening platform!
Stephanie's Links
Linkedin
Website
Instagram
Podcast
Youtube
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
Welcome back to another episode of The Grey Areas podcast! This week, we are thrilled to be joined by the incredible Ginny Clarke. Ginny is a world-renowned conscious leadership expert, sought-after speaker, author, instructor, and advisor. Her approach to leadership is rooted in the five dimensions of conscious leadership, which encourages leaders to deepen their self-awareness, embrace their truth, inspire love, expand their consciousness, and activate their mastery. Ginny empowers individuals to become radically accountable and fosters a space for healthy, authentic leadership.
With over 30 years of expertise in executive recruiting and talent management, Ginny has held leadership roles at Google and Spencer Stuart. Among her many accomplishments, she is the author of "Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in a New World of Work" and the host of the Fifth Dimensional Leadership podcast. Ginny teaches people to demonstrate empathy, honour their competency, and drive positive change and growth.
In this episode, Ginny sits down with us to discuss conscious leadership and building inclusive work cultures. Tune in to hear more on:
Ginny’s Links
Youtube
Instagram
TikTok
Fifth Dimensional Leadership Podcast
Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
Welcome back to The Grey Area’s podcast! We're thrilled to welcome our next guest, Craig Levey, who you may recognize from TikTok where he shares his expertise. Craig is an employment and business attorney, using social media to advise workers on corporate behavior. On his TikTok page, Craig addresses many common red flags in corporate environments today.
Craig’s practice focuses on civil litigation with a specialization in employment and business matters. He represents both individuals and companies, handling cases related to discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wage claims, and partnership disputes. With extensive experience in federal, superior, and district courts, Craig is here to discuss employment law, Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), retaliation, and discrimination in the workplace!
Tune in to learn more about:
• 3:30 - The most important rights employees should be aware of in the workplace.
• 4:50 - Practical steps employees can take if they feel their rights have been violated.
• 8:00 - Performance Improvement Plans (P.I.Ps) – What are they?
• 13:30 - Defining retaliation and how to prove it.
• 17:45 - Discrimination in the workplace and how prevalent is it?
• 24:40 - What to do if you think you are about to be fired and questions to ask.
• 32:50 - Cubicle Confessions: Dealing with unclear P.I.Ps and navigating harassment.
Don't miss this insightful episode packed with valuable information for employees navigating the complexities of the modern workplace.
Craig’s Links:
Tiktok
Instagram
Linkedin
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
I am so excited to welcome the next guest onto The Grey Area’s podcast this week, Kate Winick! Kate is a powerhouse in the realm of social media strategies and brand building, bringing her extensive experience as a fractional social leader consultant. She has served as the head of social at Peloton and led initiatives at Who What Wear, Clique Media, and ELLE Magazine. Some of her recent clients include Fossil Group, StubHub, The Aspen Group, and many more. Kate’s expertise extends beyond traditional marketing roles, as she is also an accomplished writer and editor. As a mentor and leader in her field, Kate is dedicated to nurturing social media teams and fostering a culture of creativity and excellence.
Join us today for an exclusive front-row seat to Kate’s insights and wisdom on mastering the art of social media and building brands that stand the test of time. Listen in as we dive into all things social media strategy, mentorship, and branding!
Tune in for more on:
• 16:00 - The best and worst: Working on a social team at a large company.
• 21:00 - How Kate demonstrated the value of her work and her team's efforts to essential stakeholders.
• 29:15 - Transitioning from managing social media as a career to doing it for herself.
• 34:00 - The most important qualities of a mentor and Kate’s approach to mentoring.
• 38:30 - Key advice for non-social team members working with a brand's corporate social team.
• 47:00 - Tips for individuals looking to grow their personal social media channels while adhering to social media policies.
• 59:15 - Cubicle Confessions: Dealing with online trolls, mental health impacts, and internal pressures.
Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best in the business. Tune in and get ready to elevate your social media game!
Kate’s Links:
Linkedin
Instagram
Website
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
Welcome to this week's episode of The Grey Areas Podcast! Join me as I delve into a captivating conversation with the remarkable Whitney Howard. A powerhouse in her own right, Whitney wears many hats as a business consultant, professional mentor, and evolutionary astrologer based in LA.
In this episode, we explore Whitney's journey from her roles in corporate giants like Disney and Sony Music to founding her own venture, Starland Alchemy. She shares insights on navigating growth, redefining success, and advocating for a new paradigm in the corporate world.
Here's a glimpse of what we discussed:
• 5:20 - Breaking down the essential qualities of a mentor and how they contribute to personal and professional growth.
• 10:15 - Exploring the role of self-awareness in becoming an effective leader and fostering a positive work culture.
• 12:30 - Techniques to maintain balance and prioritize well-being while navigating the demands of a career.
• 27:30 - Strategies for dealing with emotional investment in workplace relationships and finding fulfillment in your career.
• 39:00 - Dissecting the different types of success and how they can be defined.
• 47:30 - Cubicle Confessions: Navigating scrutiny and micromanagement.
Tune in for an enriching discussion on mentorship, career development, astrology, and the pitfalls of workaholism. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the modern workplace and pave the way for a more fulfilling professional journey.
Whitney’s Links:
Starland Alchemy Website
Instagram
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
Welcome back to The Grey Areas podcast! This week, we're breaking new ground as we welcome our first male guest, Charlie Sull, to the show. Charlie is not just any guest; he's a true visionary in the realms of corporate culture and artificial intelligence.
Join us as we delve into Charlie's expertise, which has reshaped the landscape of corporate culture understanding. As the co-founder of CultureX, Charlie's data-driven insights have sparked meaningful change across industries worldwide. His work has garnered global recognition, earning him features in prestigious publications like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
In this captivating episode, Charlie shares his unparalleled insights into the intersection of corporate culture and AI. We explore the strategies for enhancing organizational work culture and the intricate analysis of employee feedback and workplace dynamics.
Tune in as we explore:
• 8:20 - Unveiling the process behind a culture audit and leveraging AI for transformative insights.
• 15:30 - Tactical advice for leaders navigating toxic cultures head-on.
• 21:00- The pivotal role of middle managers in shaping work culture dynamics.
• 22:30 - Understanding the CEO's pivotal commitment to cultural detox efforts.
• 30:20- Exploring the profound impact of workplace stress on organizational culture.
• 34:50- Delving into the concept of psychological safety and its transformative power.
• 39:00 - Cubicle Confessions: Tackling the challenge of navigating toxic leadership and the indispensable role of HR in fostering cultural change.
Don't miss this enlightening discussion as we unravel the intricacies of corporate culture and chart a course for meaningful transformation!
Do you have an anonymous Cubicle Confession you liked to share or ask about? Your experiences hold the power to inspire and guide others facing similar challenges! Head to https://greyareas.com/cubicle-confessions to write or record your message!
Charlie’s Links:
CultureX Website
Charlie’s email: [email protected]
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
Tune in to the latest episode of The Grey Area's podcast, where we're thrilled to host the incredible Marina Middleton! As a devoted mother, wife, and serial entrepreneur, Marina brings a wealth of experience to the table as CEO of Create & Cultivate. With a career marked by resilience and determination, she's championed women's empowerment in the entrepreneurial sphere. Marina's journey through marketing roles at Yahoo and Tumblr has equipped her with invaluable insights into brand building and career advancement.
Join us as Marina shares her wisdom on personal branding, navigating career shifts, and the art of cultivating your own empire. Through her Empowered Confidence platform, she's empowered countless women to harness their unique narratives and authenticity to forge thriving brands and communities!
Tune in to hear more about:
5:20 - How being an immigrant shaped Marina’s identity today.
7:30 - The transition from corporate to entrepreneurship.
14:45 - The biggest piece of advice for someone in the process of a layoff.
19:20 - Key components of a personal brand.
26:30 - Pitfalls you should avoid when building a personal brand.
39:00 - How Marina honors her own mental health and setting boundaries.
47:00 - Cubicle Confessions: Lack of prioritization, toxic managers, and handling expectations.
Do you have an anonymous Cubicle Confession you liked to share or ask about? Your experiences hold the power to inspire and guide others facing similar challenges! Head to https://greyareas.com/cubicle-confessions to write or record your message!
Marina’s Links:
Instagram
Empowered Confidence
Create & Cultivate
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
Welcome back to The Grey Area's podcast! This week, we're thrilled to have Erika Ayers Badan, the pioneering CEO of Barstool Sports, join us. A digital innovator and disruptor, Erika has redefined content creation, distribution, and monetization. With a career spanning high-level roles at AOL and Microsoft, Erika brings a wealth of experience to the table.
In this episode, we delve into the core of leadership, career growth, and the often harsh realities of the workplace. Erika shares invaluable insights from her journey and offers candid advice on navigating the corporate landscape. Plus, get a sneak peek into her upcoming book, "Nobody Cares About Your Career," slated for release on June 11th.
Tune in as we explore the nuances of leadership and uncover the secrets to thriving in today's dynamic business environment.
Tune in to hear:
Do you have an anonymous Cubicle Confession you liked to share or ask about? Your experiences hold the power to inspire and guide others facing similar challenges! Head to https://greyareas.com/cubicle-confessions to write or record your message!
Thanks for joining us for another engaging podcast episode! If you found value in today's discussion, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing the podcast! Your support helps us continue our mission of spotlighting authentic, inspiring stories from women and reshaping corporate norms.
Erika’s Links:
Instagram
Pre-order "Nobody Cares About Your Career"
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
Welcome back to The Grey Areas podcast! Today, I'm thrilled to introduce our esteemed guest, Dr. Susanna Kislenko! Dr. Susanna Kislenko wears many hats as a Skoll Center Postdoctoral Fellow at the Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford and Adjunct Research Professor at the School for Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University. With degrees in International Business and Political Science, she brings a wealth of expertise to her work in the nonprofit sector. But that's not all—Dr. Kislenko is also a dedicated yoga teacher, leading retreats annually and imparting wisdom in various leadership training programs.
In today's episode, Dr. Kislenko sheds light on the intriguing concept of "Founder Syndrome," drawing from her doctoral research. Join us as we delve into discussions about leadership, toxic work cultures, and the intricacies of navigating these challenges with Dr. Kislenko profound insights.
Tune in for:
Do you have an anonymous Cubicle Confession you liked to share or ask about? Your experiences hold the power to inspire and guide others facing similar challenges! Head to https://greyareas.com/cubicle-confessions to write or record your message!
Thank you for accompanying me on another captivating podcast episode! If you gleaned insights from this instalment, I'd deeply appreciate your backing through subscribing, rating, and reviewing the podcast. Your involvement fuels our commitment to championing women through genuine, inspiring accounts and to redefining corporate standards!
Dr. Kislenko's Links:
Instagram
Website
Queen Bee Retreats
Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.