Many of us know the feeling: you rack up accomplishments, hit the milestones you once dreamed of, and still there’s a quiet voice asking, “Am I really good enough?” Imposter syndrome has a way of showing up even in our strongest moments, often right when we’re stepping into new opportunities or chapters of growth. And with so many people juggling career, family, and personal expectations, that pressure to “do it all” can make self-doubt feel even louder. Beyond the emotional toll, research shows these impostor feelings are linked to anxiety, diminished job satisfaction, and burnout — proof that this quiet inner battle can have a very real impact on our lives.

So, how do we move from overwhelm to ownership? How do we quiet the voice that says “not enough” and replace it with one that trusts, delegates, and grows? These are the questions at the heart of this episode of The Purpose Pivot.

Host Melissa Gonzalez is joined by childhood friends and powerhouse professionals Kristen Paladino, Casting Director and Founder of Paladino Casting, and Lisa Mateo, Business Correspondent at Bloomberg News. Together, they explore how imposter syndrome creeps into even the most impressive careers, how life’s wake-up calls can force us to delegate and slow down, and why community, presence, and self-trust matter more than ever. The discussion spans medical turning points, career reinvention, social comparison, and the small daily practices that help both women stay grounded.

What you’ll learn…

• Letting go to grow: Kristen shares how a medical crisis became the catalyst for delegating, slowing down, and building a healthier, more sustainable business — proving that even founders can’t control everything.

• Rewriting the inner voice: Lisa opens up about struggling with imposter syndrome despite decades of accolades, and how therapy, affirmations, and community helped her reclaim her confidence.

• Presence, boundaries, and the power of “no”: Both guests discuss learning to step back, prioritize, and create space for rest, connection, and purpose — without guilt.

Kristen Paladino is a celebrated casting director and founder of Paladino Casting, known for discovering highly specialized and diverse talent across film, television, voiceover, commercial, and digital content. Her work has contributed to projects premiering at top global festivals, including Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, and Cannes. In addition to her casting career, she serves as a Senior Media Advisor and Board Member for the Mental Health Global Network, advocating for expanded mental health education and awareness.

Lisa Mateo is an Emmy-nominated journalist with more than 20 years of on-air experience across television, radio, and digital platforms, covering breaking news, business, entertainment, and lifestyle. She currently serves as a Business Correspondent for Bloomberg News and has previously held prominent roles at CBS News, iHeartMedia, and WPIX-TV. In addition to journalism, she is a CEO, keynote speaker, and wellness coach, bringing a multifaceted voice to media and storytelling.

As conversations about leadership and well-being continue to evolve, many high-achievers are confronting a familiar tension: they’re excelling publicly while quietly running on empty. Energy is both one of the most valuable—and most depleted—resources for many balancing ambition, impact, and personal purpose. At the same time, interest in holistic and integrative healing is surging, with more people looking beyond conventional medicine for approaches that honor the whole person.

Against this backdrop, the conversation shifts toward deeper questions: how do leaders protect their alignment and energy in a world of constant connectedness? And what practices allow them to move forward with clarity, vitality, and intention?

Welcome to The Purpose Pivot, hosted by Melissa Gonzalez. In this episode, Melissa sits down with Dr. Gabrielle Francis, owner of The Herban Alchemist—a naturopathic doctor, chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage therapist, and renowned healer to touring rock stars. Together, they unpack how ancient wisdom, global medical traditions, and holistic detox rituals can help realign leaders with their purpose.

Key highlights…

• How Dr. Francis’ global immersion with indigenous healers—from India and China to Brazil and Mexico—deeply shaped her philosophy on honoring ancient medical traditions and integrating them into modern practice.

• The hidden health pitfalls common among driven, high-performing leaders—and the holistic tools she uses to help them replenish energy, restore balance, and realign with purpose.

• Why detoxing is more than a diet: how emotional, spiritual, and environmental clearing becomes a rite of passage that unlocks clarity, creativity, and new direction in one’s life.

Dr. Gabrielle Francis is a naturopathic doctor, chiropractor, acupuncturist, and licensed massage therapist with over 35 years of experience, leading her New York–based practice, The Herban Alchemist, and her touring clinic for performing artists, Backstage Alternative. Her multidisciplinary training—spanning chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, Oriental medicine, and functional medicine—allows her to create deeply personalized, root-cause treatment plans that blend natural and traditional healing systems. She is also the author of The Rockstar Remedy and has studied with master healers around the world, integrating global healing traditions into her clinical work.

Success without sacrifice—that’s what more leaders are striving for. As burnout rates climb among high-achieving professionals balancing leadership, entrepreneurship, and family, the question of how to build sustainable success without sacrificing health or identity has never been more timely. Gallup’s research shows that burnout is far from rare: roughly three-quarters of U.S. employees say they feel it at least occasionally, and one in four admit it’s become a constant part of their work life. Yet few take the time to uncover the internal pillars that sustain their purpose and resilience.

So, how do you discover and stay grounded in your own guiding pillars—those core values that help you thrive through pivots, growth, and reinvention?

In this episode of The Purpose Pivot, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and founder of BrainTrust and LumiNicole Beauty. Together, they unpack the lessons learned from breaking down and building back up, redefining success through faith, focus, and alignment. The conversation explores how to turn high-pressure ambition into purposeful growth, and how to build a life and career that serve both vision and wellness.

Top insights from the talk…

• Define success on your own terms: Kendra shares how her “pillars” of community, mentorship, education, and capital guide every decision and keep her purpose-aligned through each entrepreneurial chapter.

• Listen to your intuition: Trusting your gut, Kendra says, is key to making better business and life choices—and to walking away from opportunities that don’t serve your values.

• Pivot and thrive through self-awareness: From breakdowns to breakthroughs, she reveals how patterns of overwork led to deeper self-reflection, better boundaries, and a renewed approach to wellbeing.

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson is an award-winning executive, venture capitalist, and visionary founder known for turning ideas into scalable, sustainable businesses. With over two decades of experience in CPG, digital, and operations, she is the Co-Founder of LumiNicole Beauty, a next-generation retail marketplace reimagining how beauty is discovered across airports, hotels, campuses, and events. A three-time founder with two successful exits, she also leads BrainTrust, a digital brand consultancy, accelerator, and venture fund. Kendra has helped over 200 brands generate $100M+ in revenue and raised more than $30M in capital.

Gut health has moved from fringe to front page, with consumers overwhelmed by protocols, powders, and “miracle” cleanses. As interest surges, so do questions about what actually works day to day—and why it matters now. One reason: an estimated 65% of the population is dairy intolerant, complicating popular bovine colostrum trends cited for immunity and gut benefits. Meanwhile, personalization and functional testing are exposing how nutrition choices ripple across hormones, energy, mood, and longevity.

So what’s worth building into a realistic daily routine—and what’s hype? How can food-as-medicine become practical, craveable, and sustainable for busy lives without 12-pill mornings or crash cleanses?

On this episode of The Purpose Pivot, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Lisa Odenweller, CEO of Kroma Wellness, to unpack foundational habits, the philosophy behind Kroma’s Five-Day Reset, and why a new non-dairy, precision-fermented colostrum (lactoferrin) could be a category shift. The conversation spans gut optimization, habit formation, and founder lessons from Beaming to Kroma.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Food first, not famine: Starvation-style cleanses backfire. Kroma’s Five-Day Reset emphasizes protein (~100g/day), fat, and fiber to ignite—not suppress—metabolism, creating behaviors that actually stick beyond Day 5.

• Fix the terrain, then supplement: Probiotics help only when the gut environment is hospitable. Foundational moves—removing common inflammatory triggers, using binders strategically, and adding collagen/bone broth—set the stage for results you can feel.

• A new take on colostrum: Traditional bovine colostrum raises tolerance, quality, and ethical questions. Kroma’s SuperCore uses precision-fermented lactoferrin for 100% traceability and potency, aiming to support gut lining integrity, immunity, iron regulation (ferritin), skin, and regularity—without dairy.

Lisa Odenweller is a pioneer in the food-as-medicine movement. She founded Beaming, one of the first superfood café concepts in the U.S., introducing mainstream audiences to adaptogens and functional nutrition. After hard-won founder lessons, she launched Kroma Wellness, a system of instant, high-function foods and beverages designed for modern routines—highlighted by the Five-Day Reset, Beauty Matcha, Bone Broth, and the new SuperCore (non-dairy lactoferrin). Odenweller studied integrative nutrition (IIN) and is known for translating cutting-edge wellness into delicious, doable daily habits.

In today’s world of rapid transitions—career moves, geographic relocations, and shifting personal identities—community has become more than a comfort; it’s a lifeline. Studies show that strong social ties can increase well-being, reduce stress, and even improve physical health. For those navigating high-pressure environments, like the partners of professional athletes, having access to a supportive, informed community rooted in women’s empowerment can be the difference between isolation and belonging.

So the question is: what does it really take to build a community with that kind of impact? How do we move beyond surface-level connections to create networks that nurture growth, resilience, and lasting belonging?

This episode of The Purpose Pivot, hosted by Melissa Gonzalez, dives into those questions with entrepreneur, podcast host, and public speaker Dr. Atoya Burleson. Together, they explore Burleson’s journey from athlete to NFL wife, and ultimately to founder of Ladies Playbook and InsideLINES Podcast. Their conversation reveals how shared experiences and intentional design can transform support into legacy.

Key takeaways from the discussion…

• From personal experience to purposeful action: Burleson’s time in the NFL community revealed unseen challenges for women, inspiring her to launch InsideLINES Podcast and later Ladies Playbook, an app designed to provide resources and real community for NFL partners.

• Building trust through inclusivity and feedback: Her ambassador and beta testing groups ensured the platform addressed real needs, from local recommendations to safe spaces for honest dialogue.

• Legacy and self-care: Through her new journal, Her Legacy, Burleson shares the lessons of her “soft era,” encouraging women to prioritize self-care and reflection as tools for empowerment.

Dr. Atoya Burleson is an entrepreneur, podcast host, and public speaker with expertise in community building and media. She is the Founder & CEO of Ladies Playbook, a platform supporting NFL women with relocation resources, networking, and business connections, and the Co-Host of InsideLINES Podcast, which amplifies women’s voices in and around sports. With over six years of leading conversations at the intersection of sports, entrepreneurship, and empowerment, she is recognized for creating trusted spaces where women can thrive.

For too long, women’s healthcare has fallen short—shaped by stigma, overlooked by research, and limited by a system that often focuses only on fertility while neglecting the rest of a woman’s life. With women today spending 40% of their lives in postmenopause, the lack of medical training and resources dedicated to this stage leaves millions underserved in areas like sexual wellness, longevity, and preventative care. Now, new voices and innovations are reshaping the field: femtech is rising, funding is accelerating, and advocates like Dr. Somi Javaid are leading a movement to redefine what comprehensive women’s health really means.

So what would it take to build a system of care that empowers women across all stages of life—not just reproduction—and how do we dismantle the taboos still tied to sexual health and menopause?

In the latest episode of The Purpose Pivot, host Melissa Gonzalez speaks with Dr. Somi Javaid, board-certified OB-GYN and founder of HerMD. Together, they unpack the structural challenges women face in healthcare, explore the emerging science of hormones, sexual wellness, and longevity, and discuss what it means to embrace vulnerability as a strength in both medicine and everyday life.

In this episode, you’ll learn about…

Redefining Care Beyond Reproduction: Why most medical training neglects perimenopause and menopause, and how HerMD is addressing this gap.

Sexual Wellness as a Vital Sign: How libido, arousal, and satisfaction impact confidence, relationships, workplace performance, and overall health.

Breaking Taboos and Scaling Solutions: From founding HerMD with a small business loan to raising $40 million, Dr. Javaid shares her journey of challenging industry norms and building a movement.

Dr. Somi Javaid, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB-GYN and the founder and Chief Medical Officer of HerMD, where she has led innovations in sexual health, menopause care, and patient-centered women’s healthcare for over a decade. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, she has been recognized as a thought leader in women’s health, raising significant venture funding to expand HerMD and serving as a Key Opinion Leader for major pharmaceutical companies. She is also a frequent speaker, educator, and clinical trial investigator, dedicated to closing the gender gap in healthcare through advocacy, education, and innovation.

In June, Forbes profiled Billie Whitehouse, CEO and Creative Director of Wearable X, as she broke her silence about leading through a devastating health crisis. Diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at 27 while 22 weeks pregnant, Whitehouse underwent emergency surgery that ensured her survival, but came with the profound heartbreak of losing her baby. She later endured chemotherapy, recurrence, and recovery—all while at the helm of her company. Now in remission, she is sharing what she wishes she had known, offering lessons for women to remain effective leaders by leading with intention through profound personal challenges.

How do you rebuild meaning and purpose when life stops you in your tracks? And how can vulnerability and boundaries become strengths rather than weaknesses in leadership?

On this episode of The Purpose Pivot, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Billie to explore how personal crisis reshaped her life, her leadership, and her approach to innovation. Together, they discuss how to find resilience in stillness, how to filter partnerships and priorities with clarity, and how to honor the body’s signals rather than override them.

The dialogue centers on…

• Billie's personal lessons from her cancer diagnosis, loss, and recovery—including why she no longer equates success with “pushing through” at all costs and how leading with intention reshaped her perspective.

• How Wearable X evolved from playful prototypes into a wellness-focused brand, and why haptic technology is central to reimagining well-being.

• The leadership shifts Billie made after her health crisis: setting boundaries, over-communicating with her board, and redefining achievement.

Billie Whitehouse is the CEO and Creative Director of Wearable X, where she combines expertise in hardware, software, and apparel design to create award-winning wearable technology, including the yoga-enhancing Nadi X line. Her work has been recognized globally, with honors such as Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People,” Business Insider’s “30 Under 30,” and the Fashion Group International Design Technology Award. A frequent keynote speaker, Whitehouse has presented at global stages from Cannes Lions to Wired UK, and her designs have been showcased at the Venice Biennale and Musée de l’Homme in Paris.

Article written by MarketScale.

Career development no longer follows the predictable “ladder” of past decades. A 2024 Gallup analysis revealed that younger workers are increasingly disengaged from traditional career paths and instead seek purpose, flexibility, and balance in how they define success. Careers today move sideways, backward, and forward—more like a lattice than a ladder—requiring resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness from professionals at every stage.

How can professionals embrace nonlinear career journeys while staying grounded in both purpose and well-being?

On this episode of The Purpose Pivot, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Patricia David, author, mentor, coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Patricia David Consulting LLC. Drawing from her extensive background in corporate leadership and executive coaching, David unpacks why growth rarely moves in a straight line and why building a resilient career journey requires both balance and self-awareness.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

• Growth is nonlinear: Careers often move sideways, backward, and forward; success looks more like a lattice than a ladder.
• Well-being matters: Mental health is inseparable from performance, and today’s professionals want more than titles—they want meaning.
• Actionable wisdom: Through her “Davidisms,” David shares frameworks like “race against yourself” and “always be ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

Patricia David is an author, mentor, coach, and keynote speaker with extensive expertise in diversity strategy and executive leadership. She served as Head of Diversity at Citi and later at JPMorgan Chase, where she designed and implemented initiatives that advanced inclusion, talent development, and organizational performance. Earlier in her career, she held senior technology roles at Merrill Lynch, giving her a unique blend of technical and people-focused leadership that informs her current consulting work at Patricia David Consulting LLC.

Conversations about well-being are evolving beyond individual health to include the culture, values, and impact of the brands we support. Today’s connected world exposes young people to bullying across more channels than ever before. In 2024, the CDC reported that 40% of high schoolers experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness, while StopBullying.gov noted that 19.2% of students in grades 6–12 experienced bullying. Against this backdrop, fashion’s role has expanded from reflecting culture to actively shaping it, with mission-led brands stepping forward as advocates for confidence, courage, and community.

How can fashion both inspire confidence and drive meaningful social change, especially for younger generations navigating an always-connected world?

On The Purpose Pivot, host Melissa Gonzalez speaks with Stacy Igel, founder and creative director of Boy Meets Girl and author of Embracing the Calm in the Chaos: How to Find Success in Business and Life Through Perseverance, Connection, and Collaboration. Their conversation traces the evolution of Boy Meets Girl from its launch in New York during the aftermath of 9/11 to its role today as a global impact brand focused on anti-bullying, mental well-being, and authentic advocacy.

Highlights from the Conversation…

Impact from the start: Boy Meets Girl launched as an early example of mission-led fashion, debuting just after 9/11 with proceeds supporting the American Red Cross. From that moment forward, Igel committed to leading with purpose.

Advocacy through collaboration: Partnerships with nonprofits, musicians, and legacy IP brands have funneled resources to causes like anti-bullying programs, breast cancer awareness, and youth activism.

Sustaining well-being as a leader: Igel shares personal practices—journaling, music as therapy, and setting boundaries—that help her embrace “the calm in the chaos” while building a mission-driven company.

Stacy Igel is the founder and creative director of Boy Meets Girl, a mission-driven global fashion brand sold in major retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s. She is also the author of Embracing the Calm in the Chaos and an experienced public speaker, podcaster, and advisor who has led conversations on branding, social media, and purpose-led business. Recognized for her collaborations across fashion, music, and advocacy, Igel has partnered with nonprofits and cultural organizations to advance causes such as anti-bullying, women’s health, and youth empowerment.

In a world where hustle culture dominates, many entrepreneurs and professionals push their limits in the pursuit of success—often at the expense of their health and well-being. Yet research shows that spending time in awe-inspiring environments can reduce anxiety and enhance cognitive performance. As technology continues to consume more of our attention, the question becomes clear: how do we reconnect with ourselves in ways that strengthen both our health and our ability to lead?

What does it take to slow down, listen to our bodies, and discover the power of presence in a chaotic, hyper-connected world?

Welcome to The Purpose Pivot. In the latest episode, author and speaker Melissa Gonzalez welcomes her longtime friend, beauty industry trailblazer Jennifer Walsh, to discuss her journey from high-achieving entrepreneur to advocate for the “lost art of being human.” Together, they explore how slowing down, grounding in nature, and finding Awe Intervention moments can transform the way we live, work, and lead. These themes will come to life in person on October 9, when Melissa and Jennifer will lead The Purpose Pivot: Moments of Awe—a 90-minute workshop designed to help guests pause, reconnect with nature, and discover their own Awe Intervention moments.

The main topics of discussion…

The Cost of “Always On” – Jennifer shares how years of nonstop work and endurance sports pushed her to the brink, and how a health scare forced her to redefine what well-being truly means.

The Power of Awe – From leading wellness walks in Central Park to creating intentional moments of silence, Jennifer explains how exposure to beauty and nature lowers stress and improves cognition.

Redefining Leadership & Success – Moving beyond the myth of doing it all, she reveals how assembling strong teams, embracing presence, and leaning into passion lead to greater impact.

Jennifer Walsh is a pioneer in the beauty and wellness industry, best known as the founder of BeautyBar, which helped introduce brands like Bobbi Brown and L’Occitane to the U.S. market before the rise of Sephora and Ulta. With over 30 years of experience, Jennifer has evolved her career to focus on bridging the worlds of beauty, nature, and neuroscience. Through her initiative, The Lost Art of Being Human, she helps others rediscover the power of presence and studies how environments shape our well-being. Her work has been featured globally, and she continues to inspire audiences with her passion for wellness, leadership, and living with intention.