The Power of the Only

"There is a real power in recognizing that when you are The Only you are potentially the one who has received the invitation to be in that space." - Jess Pettitt

Jess Pettitt, MEd, MBA, CSP, is a master bridge-builder. Drawing on her broad expertise—including stand-up comedy and keynote speaking—she elevates conversations and challenges audiences to grow. A top facilitator, educator, and speaker in leadership, diversity, and inclusion, Jess holds master's degrees in Education and Business Administration, with emphases on crisis management and corporate social responsibility. She also understands the power of accepting your weaknesses and areas for growth.

Did she always feel the power of being "The Only"? If so, how can someone cultivate that power?

"What we are prioritizing or how we are defining something might be a nuance that is critical to who that person is, and that is intriguing." - Jess Pettitt

Our world feels more polarized and disconnected than ever, making it hard to truly see and understand each other. Many of us are so exhausted that we've stopped connecting and having real conversations. Jess helps us navigate these uncomfortable spaces, sharing her secret to forming better connections—no matter what our differences are.

In today's show, we explore how to connect while still honoring yourself, how to embrace different styles of power and leadership, and how to discover your own leadership path. We also discuss two simple questions that can transform how you communicate and connect with others. Finally, Jess shares the parable of the long spoons—illustrating what it means to build bridges and why it matters

"I don't think I have answered a question, I think I have just gotten more habitually used to asking." - Jess Pettitt

• How to overcome the fear of being The Only
• What does it mean to be a bridge-builder
• How to define your style of leadership
• Why is it important to be a bridge-builder
• How to find your inner strength

"We can learn from history anytime...but we don't want to because it is really heavy lifting of recognizing what we are responsible for." - Jess Pettitt

1. No one is going to invite you to do it
2. When you do it, you don't have to do it every day
3. If you are unhappy the best thing to do is to make someone else happy

"If we don't know or acknowledge that we have very different definitions of responsibility, the first bridge is finding out what the other person feels responsible for." - Jess Pettitt

• Get your copy of Almost Doing Good: Doing the Best That You Can With What You Have Some of the Time by Jessica Pettitt
• Get your copy of Good Enough Now: How Doing the Best We Can With What We Have Is Better Than Nothing by Jessica Pettitt

Facebook | Instagram | Jess Pettitt

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only! Get Angela's New Book The Power Of The Only

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry, or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence, and representation, to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources, and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership? Join me in my free, invite-only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/84

Today's episode is an ode to Connie Chung, the original power of the Only! The trailblazer and legendary journalist is sharing her story in her upcoming memoir Connie, launching Sept. 17th, 2024. She was one of the only Asian women I ever saw on TV growing up and the first woman to co-anchor the CBS Evening News. Breaking barriers and navigating the competitive TV news industry, she inspired a generation of women, including me.

In this episode, I talk about Connie's early influence on my life and how she embodies the power of the Only. Get a preview of the book — all the "good, bad, and the ugly" — as she shares her life and career behind the scenes. Hear what she has to say about the book writing process, how she evolved from the quiet girl to a tenacious and driven reporter, how she navigated her career when overt sexism was a way of life, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. Discover how you can step into and impact the world as an Only.

"To the world, she was a TV icon; to me she was the lady in the box that made me feel seen." - Angela Chee

• How did Connie Chung influence Angela
• Connie Chung and Maury Povich on Instagram @conniechungpovich
• How does Connie embody the power of the Only
• What is the process and experience of writing a book
• How she navigated in a sea of white men
• Her journey from "copyboy" to Co-anchor of The CBS Evening News
• What she would do differently now
• How she is embracing her legacy
• How to have an impact as an Only

"Like Connie, you may not always know or feel the impact you are making in the moment." - Angela Chee

• Learn more about Connie Chung's book tour
• Get your copy of Connie: A Memoir by Connie Chung
• Viral "Only" photo @angelacheetv Instagram

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry, or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence, and representation, to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources, and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership? Join me in my free, invite-only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/83

Today I talk about the power of connection and mindset with professional speaker Frank Kitchen. Frank shares how he stepped out of his comfort zone as an introvert after some helpful advice and eventually became a professional speaker and performer.

He says it is crucial to stop thinking about what others think and start thinking about what you want. We also tackle the touchy topic of code-switching and how we can use it as a way to connect with others.

"It's the emotion of the result that has to be strung to the emotion of the work." - Frank Kitchen

In today's show, we talk about why it is important to surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth and how to knock down your internal barriers to step into your power of the Only.

"Stop thinking about what others think and start thinking about what you want." - Frank Kitchen

• How to knock down internal barriers
• What does the power of the Only mean to Frank Kitchen
• How did Frank step into his power
• What does the FRESH acronym stand for
• How to re-frame cons as pros

"There are feelings and then there is truth." - Frank Kitchen

1. Recognize that you are amazing
2. Be around amazing people
3. Do amazing things

"There are other Onlys out there you just have to the find the ones who are Only like you." - Frank Kitchen

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Frank Kitchen

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry, or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence, and representation, to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources, and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership? Join me in my free, invite-only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/82

Today's guest is Jennifer McCollum a CEO, speaker, and author of the book In Her Own Voice - A Woman's Rise to CEO. With over 25 years of experience in leadership, Jennifer has a unique talent for crafting powerful visions and inspiring teams to turn them into reality.

Her journey has taken her through organizations like Coca Cola and she made history as the first female CEO at Linkage, an SHRM company that has dedicated more than 35 years to advancing women and accelerating inclusion in leaders and organizations. Jennifer has also been published in The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Chief Talent Development Officer, CEO Refresher, and Real Leaders. She is a member of the Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches.

"The razor blade is part of my authentic self." - Jennifer McCollum

In today's show, we talk about what Jennifer has learned as a CEO and how you can apply it to your career and life. We also talk about how to embrace being The Only, how to step into your leadership, and why it's important to define what success looks like for you.

Listen in to learn how to quiet your inner critic and how to embrace the changing face of leadership.

"What it takes to be a woman and a leader as they rise in leadership ranks is very unique and we need women to understand those challenges so that they can be more aware, and we need to support women in overcoming them." - Jennifer McCollum

• How to embrace being an Only
• What does the power of the Only mean to Jennifer McCollum
• How do Onlys get stuck
• What is it like to step into a CEO position
• How to quiet your inner critic
• What is the double-blind for women
• Where do women thrive in business
• What is next for Jennifer McCollum

"I stepped right into: 'I am the Only and I am going to embrace the Only." - Jennifer McCollum

1. Prove your value
2. Clarity
3. Make the ask

"This is never about fixing women or fixing the Only." - Jennifer McCollum

• Get a copy of In Her Own Voice: A Woman's Rise to CEO: Overcoming Hurdles to Change the Face of Leadership by Jennifer McCollum

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry, or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence, and representation, to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources, and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership? Join me in my free, invite-only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/81

"The impact that I had on the underrepresented employees of the company was something I did not expect and didn't realize that by simply telling my story, being visible, being vulnerable...what a gift that was to them." - Tricia Montalvo Timm

How can we embrace the Power of You?

Today we tackle the topic of owning your identity at work with Tricia Montalvo Timm, a board director, venture investor, speaker, and author of Embrace The Power Of You.

Tricia is a first-generation Latina who rose through the ranks of Silicon Valley advising high-tech companies. Her work culminated in the sale of data analytics software company Looker to Google for $2.6 billion.

"We can't control the world around us, but we can control our emotions and how we choose to show up." - Angela Chee

In today's show, she shares how she struggled with being The Only and hid her identity for decades. She reveals how she finally stopped hiding at work and shows you how to step into your journey of acceptance.

Listen to the episode to learn how Onlys can show up as our authentic selves, why Angela stopped using the word 'imposter syndrome', and how to achieve success and fulfillment and embrace yourself even as you continue to grow and change.

"It is incredibly powerful to be someone with a different perspective; someone that can shine a light on so many other people and communities in the world." - Tricia Montalvo Timm

• How to embrace the power of you
• What does the power of the Only mean to Tricia Montalvo Timm
• Why Tricia never "came out" as Latina
• How to feel comfortable stepping into your power of being an Only
• Is the climate shifting for Onlys
• Why did Tricia change her name and how did it affect her
• What is it like to be on a board

"We are a very diverse society. We need to have all of those different perspectives represented in the room." - Tricia Montalvo Timm

1. Self-reflection
2. Find your people
3. Model authenticity

"I just didn't talk about my family. You know my maiden name, at the time I was really happy to get rid of Montalvo when I got married." - Tricia Montalvo Timm

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Tricia Montalvo Timm

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry, or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence, and representation, to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources, and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership? Join me in my free, invite-only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/80

"Instead of vying for a seat at the table, you may need to create your own table." - Angela Chee

What will be the next chapter for you?

I recently participated in Hello Sunshine's Shine Away event in Los Angeles and I want to share the highlights and takeaways from this incredible event that brought powerful women together for important conversations. The day served as a reminder of how powerful we are and that all of us have many chapters and seasons in our lives. I hope this episode can also serve as a reminder for you. Let this be your moment of inspiration to step up and shine in your role as an Only.

"The power of the Only is about seeing, understanding, and feeling what others don't, leveraging this unique perspective to achieve your goals." - Angela Chee

In today's show, I talk about ways to cultivate the power of the Only and what that power looks like in action. I also explain how your life can change when you step into your power and share the four words that changed Tracy Ellis-Ross's entire outlook on life.

"You do not have to wait for everything to change to step into your greatness." - Angela Chee

• What does the power of the Only look like in action
• How to define the power of the Only
• Ways to cultivate the power of the Only
• What happens when you step into your power
• Why aren't there more women's stories

"The power of the only is cultivated through years of navigating challenges in different situations as an Only and it allows you to make the most of every opportunity regardless of the environment you find yourself in." - Angela Chee

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry, or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence, and representation, to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources, and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership? Join me in my free, invite-only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/79

Today's guest was "an Only and a Lonely" her entire career. Shelley Zalis is the CEO of The Female Quotient, an equality services company that creates platforms for women and solutions for organizations committed to closing the gender gap in the workplace. Their "Equality Lounges®" at the world's largest business and industry conferences, from CES to DAVOS, SXSW, Cannes Lions, and more — along with an audience of more than 2 million — bring conscious leaders together to close the gender gap.

In this episode, Shelley shares her "whoosh" moment that changed how she looks at her work.

She also opens up about the moment she knew she needed to be her own boss.

"Representation only matters if it's not just about reflection." - Shelley Zalis

In today's show, we talk about the communication skills you need for people to really hear you and how to thrive and make your job fun, despite your environment. Shelley says in business, there is always a yes you just have to find it. Listen in to learn how men and women must work together to close the gender gap, the origins of Imposter Syndrome, and how to shift these labels.

"It wasn't about men. It wasn't about women. It was about closing the gap." - Shelley Zalis

• What does the power of the Only mean to Shelley Zalis
• What was the inspiration for the Girls' Lounge
• Why do men and women need to work together to close the gender gap
• How to stay true to your power
• Is the gender gap closing
• How to cultivate the power of the Only
• What is Shelley still working to improve
• Where does imposter syndrome come from

"The collective power of women was quite remarkable." - Shelley Zalis

1. Be yourself because everyone else is taken
2. Know your value
3. Speak up, speak out, and speak together

"It took a while for women to own their feminine." - Shelley Zalis

• Check out this Giftedness and ADHD Venn Diagram
• Check out Shelley's Forbes column that offers virtual mentorship for women in middle management

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry, or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence, and representation, to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources, and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership? Join me in my free, invite-only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/78

"You can't be so focused on what you think success looks like that you don't enjoy the journey." - Gail Becker

What are you waiting for?

My guest today Gail Becker is the Founder of Caulipower, a cauliflower pizza crust and frozen food company named one of the top 10 World's Most Innovative Food Companies in 2022 by Fast Company.

Gail's career spans journalism, government service, and marketing, but says being an entrepreneur and starting Caulipower was what she was meant to do all along. She is a fierce advocate for female entrepreneurship and healthier food for all.

"We disrupted a five billion dollar category out of nowhere. Nobody saw us coming." - Gail Becker

In today's show, we talk about our shared experience as latchkey kids, how she navigated the competitive food manufacturing industry as an "Only" and an outsider, and how to break through barriers and keep going during the dark days. Gail shares what she would tell her younger self and why it's better to say "oops" than "what if."

Listen in to find out how she discovered her superpower and how you can also apply it to your life when you feel like an outsider or an Only.

For listeners of The Power Of The Only: Gail is also offering a FREE Caulipower product.

"To receive a coupon link for any free CAULIPOWER product, simply follow @CAULIPOWER or @AngelaCheeTV on any one of their social channels and send @CAULIPOWER a DM and mention 'The Power of the Only".

"Why would you want to be like everyone else?" - Gail Becker

• What does the power of the Only mean
• How to turn your differences into your superpower
• Where did the name Caulipower come from
• What is Gail most proud of
• Why being an Only is an opportunity
• How to maintain an abundance mindset
• How to get a FREE Caulipower product gift

"I don't think I will ever be more proud of just taking that first giant step." - Gail Becker

1. Always bet on yourself
2. Incorporate your Only into your business
3. Better to say oops than what if

"You can't be so focused on what you think success looks like that you don't enjoy the journey." - Gail Becker

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | CAULIPOWER

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry, or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence and representation and to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources, and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership? Join me in my free, invite only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/77

"When you are allowing yourself to embrace your Only, you are embracing you." - Jeff Harry

What is your Only moment and how are you going to show up?

Today's guest, Jeff Harry, thinks it's important that we all spend more time failing and being bored. He believes that we already have many of the answers we seek, and by simply unleashing our inner child, we can find our purpose and, in turn, help to create a better world.

I love his joyful energy and practical tips. He is an international speaker and coach who has worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Amazon, and many more. He helps organizations infuse more play into the day-to-day and solve their major issues through play and positive psychology. He's also challenging the status quo with his innovative workshops.

"Play is the opposite of perfection." - Jeff Harry

In this episode, he shares how we can tap into our true selves and feel our happiest and most fulfilled so that we can continue to step into our power of the Only.

Listen in to learn the one question to ask yourself every day, how to use mischief to step into your power and how to break through your "upper limit." You will also hear his challenge for me and his breakthrough story that shows how not being ready can help you.

"Perfection is rooted in ego and shame." - Jeff Harry

• How to use mischief to step into your power
• Ways to begin to focus more on play
• Why is play important for adults
• How does play lead to success
• How to be ready for your "Only" moment
• Where does Jeff get his playfulness from
• What is next for Jeff

"We don't fail enough and we wait too often." - Jeff Harry

1. Ask yourself what thing you would die without
2. Ask friends what value you bring to their lives and when they see you the most alive
3. Find the B.S. story that you are currently telling yourself

"Joy is a really scary thing for a lot of people." - Jeff Harry

• Listen to The Power of the Only Episode 70: 2022 Recap and the Power of Slow
• Listen to The Power of the Only Episode 71: How to Embrace Not Being Ready

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Rediscover Your Play

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence and representation and to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership. Join me in my free, invite only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/76

"Fulfillment, success on your own terms, knowing you already have everything you need is what I believe and what I preach, but on some days living and feeling it is much harder." - Angela Chee

Are you enough? When is it enough?

Today is all about the power of being enough. We are all tired right now - especially the Onlys. This is an opportunity for you to ask yourself what you are striving for and to reconsider if your goals are still serving you.

"Why do we have to strive so much?" - Angela Chee

In this episode, we begin to reconsider our go-getter mindsets and discuss how to move forward for the right reasons.

Listen in to learn Angela's new definition of success as it relates to our achievements.

"There is nothing to prove. There never has been." - Angela Chee

• What is the link between success and achievement
• Should we be constantly striving for self-improvement
• What is the fifth principle of the power of the only
• How to stop striving for achievement
• What is Angela's new definition of success

"At some point what serves a motivator can ultimately lead to a breakdown." - Angela Chee

• Listen to The Power of the Only Episode 28: Can Your Greatest Strength Also Be Your Obstacle?

Facebook | Instagram | Angela Chee | Email

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence and representation and to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Want even more insider tips, resources, and training to help you own your voice and power and step into your leadership? Join me in my free, invite-only YOU, Amplified!™ community!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Learn more about this episode of The Power of The Only with Angela Chee at www.angelachee.com/75