The Whole Assistant Podcast

By Annie CronerBusiness Education Self-Improvement How To Careers

The Whole Assistant Podcast episodes

October 083 Simple Tactics to Keep You In Strategic Alignment - #2 The Strategic Business Partner Series
The Strategic Business Partner is coming November 5.
Pre-order your signed book, and check out other pre-launch bundles here: https://www.wholeassistant.com/book-bundles
RSVP for the in-person launch party on November 5 here: https://www.wholeassistant.com/rsvp
Register for the online launch party/webinar with Jeremy Burrows here: https://bit.ly/3WeRDpX
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On this episode of the Whole Assistant Podcast, I dive into three simple yet powerful tactics that will keep you in strategic alignment, not just with your executive, but also with the work that truly matters. Whether you’re overwhelmed by the whirlwind or just craving a more intentional approach to your role, this episode is your roadmap back to purposeful, strategic impact.
In this episode, you will discover:
How to start each day with a single question that can completely re-focus your energy and productivity
The essential value of giving yourself the first 15 minutes for planning
Why pausing before saying “yes” to requests is vital to maintaining strategic alignment
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.

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Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
13 min
October 01Leveraging Examples of What’s Possible - #1 of The Strategic Business Partner Series
The Strategic Business Partner is coming November 5.
Pre-order your signed book, and check out other pre-launch bundles here: https://www.wholeassistant.com/book-bundles
RSVP for the in-person launch party on November 5 here: https://www.wholeassistant.com/rsvp
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In this episode, I dive into the concept of “borrowing identity” as a powerful strategy for professional growth. I share personal stories about how modeling my mindset and actions after mentors early in my career, like my rockstar boss Marianne, helped me make bold choices that shaped my trajectory. From learning to stand my ground to integrating lessons from inspiring executives, I explore how leveraging examples of what’s possible can be a game-changer, whether you’re just starting out or aiming to inspire the next generation of administrative professionals.
In this episode, you will discover:
How borrowing elements of a mentor’s identity can shape your self-concept and fast-track your professional growth
The importance of identifying and connecting with role models in your industry
Why seasoned professionals should remain mindful of their influence and intentionally uplift those coming up behind them
Practical steps (whether you’re new or experienced) for leveraging others’ examples to build a mindset for long-term career success
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.

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Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
11 min
September 03E207 - One Habit That Changes Everything
You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants.
Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat
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This episode is all about the one habit that transforms your entire experience as an executive assistant. I share insights from a recent panel discussion where my answer to “what’s the one habit no EA should live without?” sparked lively conversation and left a lasting impression. We dive deep into why sharing your value isn’t just about visibility; it’s about transforming how you see yourself and the role you play in your organization.
In this episode, you will discover:
Why even the most well-meaning executives have no idea what you actually keep off their plate unless you tell them
Concrete strategies to articulate your value
How this one habit can radically level up your self-concept, earn you promotions, and increase your influence
Ready to stop discounting your strengths and start owning your badassery? Let’s go.
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.

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Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
10 min
August 27How AI Is Shaping the EA Position with Fiona Young
You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants.
Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat
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Connect with Fiona
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmlyoung/
Website: https://joincarve.com/
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In this episode, I sit down with Fiona Young, founder of Carve and an absolute trailblazer in bringing AI superpowers to EAs. We dive deep into the evolution of the EA role and how AI is fundamentally reshaping not just the tasks we do, but the very possibilities for what our careers can become. Whether you’re just getting curious about AI or you’re eager to elevate your workflow (and your impact), this conversation is packed with real-life examples, practical frameworks, and inspiring stories to help you leverage AI intentionally and strategically.
In this episode, you will discover:
A powerful 3-level adoption framework for how EAs can integrate AI into their roles, from first steps to total transformation.
How using AI can shift your day-to-day from repetitive tasks to high-impact, strategic work
Real-world stories of EAs using AI to save time, add greater value to their executives, and create bandwidth for both professional growth and personal balance.
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.

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Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
31 min
August 203 Tiny Moments That Will Cost You
You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants.
Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat
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In this episode, I dive into three tiny moments that can end up costing you emotionally, mentally, and professionally if you’re not paying attention. I draw on real-life coaching experiences and the everyday realities of executive assistants to uncover the tiny moments that may be costing you. Let’s shine a light on what’s holding you back and how to reclaim your power.
In this episode, you will discover:
How owning what isn't yours can quietly undermine your effectiveness
How to sidestep one of the biggest pitfalls for executive assistants
The hidden cost of outsourcing your validation
How resentment serves as a powerful indicator that you may be falling into these tiny but costly compromises
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.

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Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
17 min
August 13The Hidden Reason You Feel Stuck
You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants.
Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat
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Ever feel stuck?
In this episode, I open up about my personal year of expansion, the hidden internal barriers that keep us stuck, and why more training or certifications aren’t always the answer. Drawing on insights from "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks, I unpack the three critical elements that secretly govern how much success, abundance, and joy we allow ourselves to experience.
I share relatable stories, ask some tough questions, and give you practical ways to break through your own invisible ceiling and fully step into your worth.
In this episode, you will discover:
Why your self-concept matters more than your technical skills, and how to recognize when your capability has outgrown your current identity
How feelings of worthiness (or lack thereof) quietly sabotage your ability to receive recognition, promotions, or compensation
What it means to build capacity for success, joy, and discomfort, and why it's crucial for growth in your career and personal life
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.

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Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
25 min
August 06 5 Mindset Shifts That Separate Strategic Partners from Great Assistants
You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants.
Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat
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This episode digs deep into the five essential mindset shifts that distinguish strategic partners from high-performing assistants.
Drawing on insights from my own journey, including the challenges of burnout and the transformative process of writing my new book, I unpack how thinking differently about your role is the hidden lever that can move you from reactive to truly impactful.
If you've ever felt stuck, overlooked, or you’re hungry for that next level of professional contribution and satisfaction, this episode is for you.
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.

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Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
14 min
June 043 Ways to Turbocharge Your Influence
You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants.
Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat
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In today’s episode, I break down the three most effective ways you can turbocharge your influence in the workplace. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the field, you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective and actionable steps to boost your impact starting today.
In this episode, you will discover:
How showing up with integrity and honesty builds the foundation for real influence
How embracing visibility (without feeling like your overstepping) is crucial to your effectiveness and career growth
What it means to fully step into your unique role as the bridge between executives and the wider organization
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.

----------------------------------------------

Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
10 min
May 28The Power of Personal Branding with Clara Chukwu
You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants.
Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat
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Connect with Clara
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clara-chukwu-35583318b
Website: https://www.bossbehindtheboss.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossbehindtheboss_

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bossbehindtheboss
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Are you an exceptional support professional who’s ready to step out and start building more visibility?
In this episode, I sit down with powerhouse executive assistant Clara Chukwu to unpack what it really means to cultivate a personal brand as an EA. We explore how showing up authentically online can open doors and reshape how others perceive your work, while also tackling the discomfort so many of us feel about stepping into the spotlight. If you’re ready to boost your impact, authority, and opportunities this conversation is for you.
In this episode, you will discover:
Why authenticity is the foundation of a powerful and sustainable personal brand
How to overcome the discomfort of being visible
The real-world impact of personal branding on career opportunities, professional respect, and self-confidence
If you’ve ever wondered how to become more than just “the person behind the scenes,” this episode will show you how to step into your power and become an example of what’s possible.
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.

----------------------------------------------

Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
20 min
May 21What AI Will Never Replace
You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants.
Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat
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This episode is all about what sets executive assistants and support professionals apart, no matter how advanced AI gets. I’m diving into the three core areas of our work that will always require human intelligence, empathy, and influence. Whether you're excited by the possibilities technology brings or feeling a little anxious about the future, this episode will help you identify and double down on the unique strengths you bring to your role.
In this episode, you will discover:
Why your intuition is something AI will never replace, and how you can strengthen and trust it even more
The irreplaceable value of human judgment and your unique vantage point, especially when it comes to organizational politics, navigating interpersonal dynamics, and acting as a grounding force for your executive
How your personal influence, authentic relationships, and ability to champion your executive’s and the organization’s brand set you apart in ways no algorithm ever could
Practical encouragement to cultivate these core strengths and step even more confidently into your badassery as a strategic business partner
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Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.
----------------------------------------------

Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening.
Stay Connected:
Snag your free strategic planning session guide.
Visit the website.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Send me an email: [email protected]
12 min

About The Whole Assistant Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to The Whole Assistant Podcast! I’m your host Annie Croner. I’m a former assistant who is passionate about the profession, and a certified coach who is invested in your success. You’ve come to…