Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into strategies for women to thrive in corporate spaces with leadership consultant, executive coach, and trailblazer in women's leadership strategy, Kisha Wynter. Discover the importance of investing in yourself and how to navigate corporate politics with confidence and integrity. Kisha has over two decades of corporate experience and as the visionary founder and CEO of Wynter Rich Enterprises, she has a rich track record of developing and training leaders in over 50 countries. Her firm is dedicated to guiding organizations and creating inclusive cultures where every individual can thrive regardless of their background. Kisha is the author of Your Power Unleashed which is based on her company's proprietary framework, The Diva Method.   Key Discussion Points: 01:58 Addressing Systemic Biases Within Organizations That Prevent Women from Getting Ahead: The same traits that are labeled ‘too aggressive’ for women are praised in men. It takes courage to address this as you may face backlash. 08:33 The Physical Symptoms of a Toxic Workplace: Workplace harassment and bullying can lead to physical symptoms that impact daily life. 14:44 The Importance of Allies: Transformation can not just sit on the backs of women of color. The burden must be shared with people who can help us be heard. 19:52 The Diva Method: Kisha’s leadership framework focuses on the internal work needed for individuals to advance professionally and how to navigate organizational politics. 26:24 Developing Leaders: Organizations promote amazing individual contributors to leadership roles without preparing them or giving them the tools necessary to lead. 28:48 From Invisible to Credible: You can’t wait for an organization to invest in you, you have to invest in yourself and work on your communication skills.   In Summary: Kisha Wynter urges us to invest in a coach and stop using diminishing language in the workplace. She challenges us to make allies to support transformation in the workplace.   Resources from this episode: Your Power Unleashed: How Savvy Women Use Courage to Get Promoted, Get Paid, and Find Fulfillment by Kisha Wynter Diminishing Language Cheat Sheet Follow Kisha on LinkedIn or check out her website.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 57, with guest, Elaine Lin Hering. This episode explores the complexities of speaking up in the workplace and how to foster a more inclusive and supportive communication culture in your workplace.     Elaine Lin Hering is a facilitator, speaker, and writer who works with organizations and individuals to build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. Elaine has worked on six continents and with a wide range of corporate, government, and nonprofit clients. Her book, Unlearning Silence, was released earlier this year. This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 57: Unlearning Silence, why 'Just Speak Up' isn't enough.   Key Discussion Points: 00:59 “Just Speak Up” Is Bad Advice: This advice ignores all of the silence that we’ve learned and all the times that we’ve had to deal with retaliation for speaking up.  04:10 Unlearning Silence: Unlearning silence is not only about individuals unlearning their silence and speaking up, even though that is necessary. It is also about leaders unlearning the ways that they are silencing those individuals.  07:55 Design Your Communication Flow: Design a communication flow that works for you instead of defaulting to the set communication patterns. 09:58 The Babble Hypothesis of Leadership: Most people associate the frequency or quantity of words that come out of your mouth with leadership potential no matter the value of the words said.   In Summary: Elaine Lin Hering challenges us to rethink workplace communication and leadership norms. She urges leaders to design intentional communication flows that empower all team members.   Resources from this episode: Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully by Elaine Lin Hering Follow Elaine Lin Hering on Linkedin or check out her website.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into how you can reclaim your power with Sinead Sharkey-Steenson, a renowned leadership and menopause coach dedicated to preventing the menopause talent drain. Learn why we need to change the narrative around menopause and how shining a light on your strengths can set you up for success. Sinead has over 20 years of experience as a motivational speaker and trainer and has focused the last 10 years on supporting women in business and sport. She has empowered over 10, 000 women to elevate their career impact and her menopause journey coupled with extensive professional expertise fuels her passion for helping women succeed and fostering supportive workplace cultures.   Key Discussion Points: 03:43 The Importance of Identifying What You Want: Only when you take the time to identify what you want and act on that rather than outside forces, can you create the life and career you want. 10:31 Step Into Your Power: When a woman's strengths, skills, and self-confidence align with her ability to execute, she becomes unstoppable. 20:05 Embrace Your Brilliance: If you don’t recognize and value the things that you are fantastic at, nobody else will. Shine a light on what you do rather than underestimating it. 34:50 Perimenopause, Menopause, and Postmenopause: There are so many myths and misconceptions around this stage in a woman’s life. Many of which link to ageism and sexism. 40:15 Changing the Narrative Around Menopause: Menopause has been stigmatized but it is a time when women become more purpose-driven and build supportive communities for themselves.   In Summary: Sinead Sharkey-Steenson challenges us to embrace and shine a light on our strengths rather than underestimating them. She urges us to do our research and change the narrative around menopause.   Resources from this episode: Sinead’s TEDx Talk: Menopause: smashing the last glass ceiling Sinead’s free end-of-year workshop Impact Players Conference Follow Sinead on LinkedIn or check out her website.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 55, with guest, Martha Aviles. If you’re not being paid for your worth, or you’re long overdue for a promotion, then it’s time to negotiate.  Martha is a fierce marketing leader in tech with over 20 years of experience across start-ups, private, and public companies including Aventus, Gigster, Talroo, and more. She is gifted at building and growing high performance marketing teams and inspiring thought leadership.  This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 55: Being bold and letting your feet do the talking.   Key Discussion Points: 01:00 Negotiation Tactics: When it comes to negotiations, come prepared, ask for what you want, and have the courage to have uncomfortable conversations.  03:28 Let Your Feet Do the Talking: If you are constantly being told that you need to do/be/have just one more thing before you can get a promotion, it is time to find another job. 04:44 The Power of the Pause: If you are having a conversation with your supervisor about a promotion, ask them to tell you more and then sit quietly and wait. Don’t try and fill the silence. 06:23 Seek New Opportunities: Don’t let one rejection decrease your self-worth. There are so many opportunities out there for you to seek out.   In Summary: Martha Aviles challenges us to have uncomfortable conversations. She urges us to not let the fear of rejection stand in our way of asking for a raise or a promotion because the only thing worse than rejection is not trying.   Resources from this episode: Follow Martha on Linkedin.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 54, with guest, Kelly Ann Winget. Money is a topic so many of us do not love to talk about, but it is time for us to take control of our financial well-being and change our mindset to achieve financial freedom.    Kelly Ann is the founder of Alternative Wealth Partners, the first private equity firm founded and led by a millennial, openly LGBTQ+ woman. With over a decade of experience, she has raised close to $1 billion in capital for startups, energy companies, manufacturing ventures, real estate, and other key emerging markets.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 54: Changing the Face of Wealth: Empowering Women in Financial Literacy.   Key Discussion Points: 00:57 Access to Financial Information: As a woman, it’s not your fault that you don’t have access to financial information. It has been ingrained into society that women are not responsible with money when the reality is very different.  04:47 Female Financial Empowerment: In the last three years there has been a shift towards more female financial empowerment which comes down to an increase in access to information. 05:43 Money Mindset: The first step to creating financial freedom for yourself is to work on your mindset around money.  10:28 Overcoming Historical and Generational Financial Barriers: While you are holding the weight of past generational trauma, the reality is that you are your own entity and you have to do the work to understand your own needs without carrying the burden of everyone else.   In Summary: Kelly Ann Winget challenges us to actively engage in our financial lives and take ownership of our financial well-being. She urges us to start by shifting our mindset around money and defining our financial goals.   Resources from this episode: Pitch the Bitch: Grab your Financial Future by the Bags by Kelly Ann Winget Follow Kelly Ann on Linkedin or check out her website.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are doing another real talk and we have some spicy topics to get into. Olivia recently held a workshop with some women leaders who wanted to understand how to win in the workplace. Three themes kept on coming up - getting clarity on what you want, getting comfortable talking about money, and not waiting to be tapped.    Key Discussion Points: 00:57 Finding Alignment: Are you doing what you’re doing because it aligns with your values and goals or are you doing it because other people think you should or someone told you you couldn’t? 07:47 Understanding Your Priorities: Your life should not only be about work. If you find the rest of your life responsibilities are neglected, you are in misalignment. 16:10 Talk About Money: Many women have a fear of money. It is essential to know how much money you need to live your ideal life and not just scrape by. 21:07 Taking Control of Your Goals: Stop waiting to be tapped. Know what you want, drive towards your goals, and take the reins of your career. 24:53 Thriving Despite the Statistics: Stop listening to the statistics telling you that you can’t reach your goals. You can thrive, but you have to be willing to put in the work.   In Summary: Archita and Olivia challenge us to get clarity on what we want, understand our priorities, get comfortable talking about money, and stop waiting to be recognized for our brilliance.   Resources from this episode: Where will you be five years from today? by Kobi Yamada and Dan Zadra   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 45, with guest, Dr. Rana Dajani. It’s time to reimagine what success means, particularly in workplaces that were not designed with women in mind. Dr. Rana Dijani is a molecular cell biologist professor and one of the world's leading Muslim women scientists. In addition to this, Rana is specifically interested in raising the health, education, and societal status of women and children in the Arab world. Her goal is to help shape our future world. This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 45: Butterfly Wings with Dr. Rana Dajani.   Key Discussion Points: 00:58 Gender Disparities in STEM: The assumption that there are fewer women in STEM is a projection from Western data. The Arab world has a much higher percentage of women in STEM. 03:01 The Global Problem of Fewer Women in the Workplace: This is not because women are uneducated and while some workplaces may not be friendly to women, this is not the reason either. 05:10 Creating a Paradigm Shift in the Workplace: The workplace as we know it today has been created by men, for men. We need to change this. 07:51 Redefining the Measurement of Success: The measurement of success is male-centric, females and minority groups rarely fit into this measurement system. 10:09 Creating System Changes in Corporate Spaces: COVID has shown us that systems in the workplace can be changed very easily. If more women are creating policies, we have an opportunity to create something new.   In Summary: Dr. Rana Dajani challenges us to embrace diverse definitions of success that resonate with our own lives and values, rather than adhering to the traditional definitions of success, particularly in the workplace, that have been established by men.   Resources from this episode: Five Scarves: Doing the Impossible - If We Can Reverse Cell Fate, Why Can’t We Redefine Success? by Rana Dajani Follow Rana on Linkedin.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into how being “too emotional” can be your superpower with Rachel Radway, a certified leadership and executive coach, Mastermind facilitator, and author. Highly perceptive individuals often feel like they are crazy, broken, or the only person who feels this way. This is not true, there are so many of us out here, including many incredibly successful women.    Rachel has more than 25 years of leadership experience across tech startups, not-for-profits, and Fortune 500s. She's particularly passionate about helping women leaders who are wired a little differently create the conditions they need to thrive.   Key Discussion Points: 02:33 Exploring High Sensitivity Perception: 30% of people are affected by high sensitivity perception. This comes with its own challenges and superpowers.  08:32 Strategies for Managing Sensory Overload in Our Increasingly Connected Workspaces: While you may not be able to control your environment completely, there are ways you can create conditions for success. 13:55 The Stigma of Being Labeled as Highly Sensitive: Women face so many challenges in the workplace, the last thing they need is another label attached to them that is often associated with weakness. 17:46 Navigating Extreme Self-Expectations: Brain research has shown that the brains of highly sensitive people optimize for successful group outcomes rather than individual outcomes. 23:04 Understanding How Your Brain Works: This work can be intimidating because there are so many deep-seated social expectations of us. The first step is to get support. 29:49 The Power of the Pause: One of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves is to pause before we take action and to start listening to ourselves. 37:34 The Pressure to Be Likable: Likability and authenticity sometimes feel in dissonance with one another. There are ways you can navigate these feelings.   In Summary: If you think you are highly perceptive and you are struggling, Rachel Radway urges you to give yourself grace, reach out for support, listen to your body, and take care of yourself.   Resources from this episode: Perceptive by Rachel Radway (coming summer 2025) Follow Rachel on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 40, with guest, Niyati Tamaskar. Your health is in your hands. It is your responsibility to do your own research and advocate for your health.   Niyati is an engineer and an advocate for women in technology and engineering. At 34, she was diagnosed with cancer while she was breastfeeding her second child. Through her TED talk and books, Niyati sheds light on the cultural bias and regional stigma associated with cancer.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 40: #BreaktheBias of a cancer diagnosis as a woman of color with Niyati Tamaskar.   Key Discussion Points: 00:59 Niyati’s Cancer Diagnosis: Niyati’s diagnosis was unfortunately accompanied by a lack of emotional intelligence and empathy. 08:33 Taking Control of Your Diagnosis: A diagnosis may feel unfair, you may struggle with self-blame, and wonder what you did wrong. Ultimately, you have to find the strength to take control of your diagnosis. 11:04 The Role of Research and Advocacy: You are the person who is in charge of your own health. You have to advocate for your best interests. 14:19 Having the Courage to Ask Questions: Asking questions and communicating with your doctor is only going to help you and your condition. You don’t have to take the first opinion you receive.   In Summary: Niyati Tamaskar challenges us to take ownership of our health. No matter what your diagnosis may be, it is your responsibility to do your research, ask questions, and make sure you feel comfortable with your healthcare provider so that you get the best care possible.   Resources from this episode: Unafraid: A survivor's quest for human connection by Niyati Tamaskar Unabashed: Self-Advocacy and the Quest to Foster Empathy by Niyati Tamaskar Cultural bias and stigma associated with cancer | Niyati Tamaskar | TEDxBloomington Follow Niyati on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we hear from Amal Masri diving into how women of color can thrive in the workplace in spite of the broken rung—the very first step on the career ladder, that promotion from entry-level to manager.    Amal is the visionary force behind Fix the Broken Rung which is on a mission to get one million women of color promoted. Learn more about the mental calculus that women of color need to do to merely exist across intersections, the systemic barriers women of color face in climbing the corporate ladder, and some actionable strategies for overcoming these barriers.   Amal has over 15 years of experience in financial services and a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion. She launched Fix the Broken Rung to address the barriers women of color and immigrants face in advancing to leadership roles. Her initiative is empowering women to break through these obstacles. She's trained over 750  leaders across 10 industries and her expertise is widely published and sought after   Key Discussion Points: 02:50 The Broken Rung: The lack of women in leadership roles is less about the glass ceiling and more because of the broken rung - the very first step on the career ladder in the promotion from entry-level to manager. 04:23 Challenges Women of Color Face as They Gain Power: As women rise on the career ladder, they face higher levels of scrutiny, microaggressions, and social exclusion. Awareness is the first step to addressing this problem. 12:13 Finding Your Agency as a Woman of Color: You always have some degree of agency in any situation and there have never been as many resources and opportunities available for women of color as there are now. 16:36 The Truth About Breaking Barriers: When you break barriers, there is breaking involved and you will get hurt in some way. It is critical to calculate the ROI of the wall you’re breaking through. 20:38 Making Strategic Career Advancements: If you don’t have much influence in your organization, you are unlikely to be successful in making change. Your energy may be better spent focusing on yourself until you reach a greater position of power. 32:54 Understanding Your Value: In a misogynistic and racist system, accurately seeing your value will feel like audacity. 39:16 Writing Your Own Narrative: If you don’t take the time and initiative to write your narrative to position it for your own success, someone else will do it for you and it will not be in your favor.   In Summary: Amal Masri challenges us to take agency for our own journey and be audacious in how much value we place on ourselves. She urges us to get strategic in the workplace and determine what is worth fighting for.   Resources from this episode: Follow Amal on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 48, with guest, Katherine Byam. Company culture is just another form of bias and this episode explores how deeply bias is rooted in our workplaces.    Katherine is a sustainability activist, a sought-after leadership and career transition coach, and a consultant for business resilience and sustainable change. She is the best-selling author of Do What Matters - the purpose-driven career transition guide.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 48: Do What Matters with Katherine Byam.   Key Discussion Points: 00:52 The Key to a Successful Pivot: Curiosity, letting go of perfectionism, and surrounding yourself with a good team are what allow Katherine to pivot so seamlessly 02:14 Bias in the Workplace: A company’s culture can be a blueprint for bias and this can emerge throughout all levels of an organization starting at the hiring process.  03:39 The Origin of Bias: Every single person experiences bias in some way. This stems from how you have processed experiences in your past. It is also linked to privilege. 06:31 The Expectations of Women in the Workplace: There is a dichotomy that women face whereby if they are assertive they are told they need to be more vulnerable and if they are vulnerable they are told they need to be less emotional.   07:41 Intentional Vulnerability: Katherine shares that for her, intentional vulnerability means first understanding and processing what you have been through and the impact it has had on you before sharing it.   In Summary: Katherine Byam challenges us to move beyond bias, embrace neurodiversity in the workplace, and recognize the value of diverse strengths. She encourages us to lead with curiosity and intentional vulnerability.   Resources from this episode: Do What Matters: The Purpose Driven Career Transition Guide by Katherine Ann Byam Follow Katherine on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 38, with guest, Linda Crockett. Workplace harassment is all too common. This episode is exploring how you can better stand up for yourself.   Linda is known for pioneering the first and only full-service workplace bullying and harassment resource center in Canada. She has a master's degree specializing in workplace bullying and trauma and is a certified trauma therapist and social worker with 33 years of experience.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 38: Choose to Challenge Workplace Harassment and Bullying.   Key Discussion Points: 00:59 The Nuances of Workplace Bullying: It’s easy to miss the signs and nuances of workplace bullying because they have been normalized. 02:22 Trust Your Gut and Document Bullying: If you feel something is not right, it probably isn’t. It’s important to document these instances. 04:51 Why People Don’t Speak Up About Harassment: There are many valid reasons why people will not speak up about workplace harassment. 07:39 Prioritizing Recovery: You may have to choose recovery whether you have justice or not. Don’t wait for justice to start healing.   In Summary: Linda Crockett urges us to trust our gut and document any signs of workplace bullying. Reach out to a professional if you feel overwhelmed and don’t wait for justice to begin recovering.   Resources from this episode: Follow Linda on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into navigating career pivots and mastering the art of selling yourself with Adelle Thompson, a career change expert and self-described self-doubt stopper. Discover how you can use your superpower to get what you want and why you need to get comfortable talking about money.   Adelle is a certified life coach with over 12 years of experience in leadership and management. She is also the owner of AT Enrich, where she helps women gain the confidence and tools needed to build a career that they love and that pays them “stupidly well”.   Key Discussion Points: 01:24 Adelle’s Career Pivot: Adelle shares her journey from teaching to recruitment. 06:31 Moving Forward Despite Others Opinions: Many people will have opinions about your transition, but the only one that matters is your own. 15:09 The Catalyst for Change: All change starts with yourself, your vision, and knowing what you want. 24:19 Positioning Yourself for Success: Know what you are good at and use those skills to help you land a job or promotion or negotiate a salary. 33:31 Patterns That Hold Women Back: Women doubt themselves and disqualify themselves before even trying.   In Summary: Adelle Thompson reminds us that selling and negotiating are two skill sets we already have. She challenges us to make the pivot, get comfortable with silence in negotiations, and only listen to the opinions of people who are backing us.   Resources from this episode: Follow Adelle on Linkedin and Instagram or check out her website and podcast.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 35, with guest, Mecca Moore Tartt. If you haven’t started building your network, the time to start is now.    Mecca has led a successful career in medical device sales along with leading two Georgia-based nonprofits as executive director. Her love of empowering women and creating safe spaces for them to come together has led her to create events for women focused on health and wellness, relationships, and motherhood.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 35: Choosing to Challenge that women can have it all.   Key Discussion Points: 00:54 Turning Empathy into Action: Any big change starts with small steps and connecting with the people you are trying to help. 02:21 Reflection Before Action: Take time for reflection and seek inner clarity before making any big decisions. 04:32 The Power of Network: It doesn’t matter how good your services or products are, without a network, you will never reach your full potential. 06:33 Networking Authentically: Don’t wait until you need something to start networking, start now and join networking events that you are passionate about.   In Summary: Mecca Moore Tartt challenges us to start building our network as soon and as authentically as possible. She urges us to choose topics we are passionate about and start networking in those areas to make real connections.   Resources from this episode: Follow Mecca on Linkedin or check out her website   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into owning your authenticity and making fearless decisions with Kezia Israel, a transformative verbal identity strategist and a celebrated LinkedIn Top Voice in copywriting. Discover why action in the face of fear is an integral component in reaching your goals.   Kezia is the founder of the Verbal Identity Studio, Kizkopop, where she specializes in solving brand messaging and communication challenges for FinTech companies that are passionate about their mission. Her expertise has empowered over 100 brands to craft authentic stories through structured narratives, helping them outshine their competitors.   Key Discussion Points: 02:43 Embracing a Growth Mindset: A growth mindset will help you break down barriers, overcome imposter syndrome, and unlock unlimited potential. 08:39 Overcoming Fear: It’s okay to be fearful, but it’s important to know what you want and continue to move and act in the face of fear. 14:15 Making Your Voice Heard on Social Media: Create content that resonates with you rather than focusing on what others will like, metrics, and the algorithm.  16:23 Navigating Corporate Life as an “Only”: As an “only” in a corporate setting, it can be easy to show up in a way that is not authentic to yourself to fit in with the people around you.  25:50 Navigating Transitions: When you make a big transition, you may feel like you are losing aspects of yourself. Rather, focus on how to reposition these aspects to work for your new venture. 30:02 Clarifying Your Goals: Having clarity, making decisions with confidence, and going after what you want is the only way to move forward.   In Summary: Kezia Israel challenges us to define what we want and go after it even if we feel fear and imposter syndrome. She urges us to show up authentically even in spaces where we may want to hide.   Resources from this episode: Follow Kezia on Linkedin and Instagram or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 46, with guest, Meghana Rao Pahlajani. There is enough space at the table for all of us and as you grow professionally, it is your responsibility to be a voice for others.   Meghana is a passionate climate change, clean energy, and sustainability professional. Her work has spanned a decade globally, from the US and across India. She's helped drive corporate strategy, advised on policy change, and led new market development across the public, private, and civil society sectors.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 46: Limitless Leadership - Consciously Driving Change.   Key Discussion Points: 02:10 Corporate Culture: In the workplace, there are struggles that women face that men do not. 03:13 Having a Voice at the Table: Find a way to be at the table by getting involved. If your voice is still not being heard, it’s time to escalate things. 04:04 Making Space or Others at the Table: As you grow in your career, your voice tends to be heard more. You have a responsibility to help other's voices be heard. 06:08 Ageism in the Workplace: Being curious about the changes out there and open to letting yourself evolve will help you understand the needs of your organization. 07:28 The Learning Mindset: Taking the time to learn a new skill or knowledge will help empower you in the workplace.   In Summary: Meghana Rao Pahlajani challenges us to make our voices heard at the table and to help the voices of those who come after us to be heard as well. She urges us to embrace a learning mindset to empower ourselves with knowledge.   Resources from this episode: Follow Meghana on Linkedin or Instagram.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into unleashing the full potential of the people you lead with Minette Norman, author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader and The Psychological Safety Playbook. Discover how you are holding yourself back from seizing opportunities, how to take control of your fear, and how to build resilience to stressful situations.   Minette is an award-winning author, speaker, and leadership consultant who previously spent decades leading global technical teams in the Silicon Valley software industry. Minette knows that when groups embrace diversity in all its forms, breakthroughs emerge and innovation escalates.   Key Discussion Points: 01:48 The Insider’s Club: As an “only” it can be hard to find your way into the inner circle where opportunities and visibility are abundant. 08:22 Having the Courage to Seize Opportunities: We are preemptively holding ourselves back from opportunities because of stories we have told ourselves that are not true.  14:01 Overcoming Fear and Shifting the Culture Around Failure: If you want to do something new and innovative and disrupt the norm, there will be failure. 21:45 The Intersection of DEI and Innovation: Diverse teams outperform homogeneous teams ONLY if they are in a culture of inclusion and psychological safety. 25:27 Building Resilience in Stressful Situations: Our body's natural response during stressful moments is fight, flight, or freeze. We need to become aware of how we are reacting as individuals. 32:10 Being Bold: Do not hold back your brilliance from the world but at the same time acknowledge that everyone is learning and is a work in progress. 37:43 Measuring Psychological Safety: There is no use in measuring psychological safety if you are not going to make the behavioral changes afterward.   In Summary: Minette Norman challenges us to create psychologically safe workplaces to help the people we lead reach their full potential. She urges us to embrace failure if we want real innovation.   Resources from this episode: The Boldly Inclusive Leader by Minetter Norman The Psychological Safety Playbook: Lead More Powerfully by Being More Human by Karolin Helbig and Minette Norman Follow Minette on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into speaking up in the workplace with Animah Kosai, a passionate advocate for ethical leadership, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Discover the systemic changes needed to allow people to speak up freely in the workplace, how to recognize toxic behaviors within yourself, and the need to simply listen.   Animah has over two decades of experience in the oil and gas industry as an in-house counsel and brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her current role as the founder of Speak Up at Work. Originally from Malaysia, Animah’s global perspective informs her approach to addressing workplace issues across diverse cultural contexts.    Key Discussion Points: 03:01 Speaking Up in the Workplace: There needs to be systemic and cultural changes in the workplace to allow people to feel safe to speak up about misconduct, harassment, and other issues.  08:41 Creating Community: When reporting toxic behavior, people not only need solutions and action, but they need emotional support. 12:47 Self-awareness in the Workplace: Leaders need to be able to recognize toxic behavior in the workplace, especially when they are the ones perpetuating that behavior. 19:47 Disrupting the System: Disrupting the system of oppression in the workplace takes more than just one or two individuals. 28:03 Workplace Marginalization: There is no space for individuals to share their pain in the workplace.  34:01 Decentering Yourself: As leaders, we can create spaces to listen. However, we need to recognize that in the process of listening, we may feel uncomfortable.   In Summary: Animah Kosai challenges us to find communities for psychological safety so we can start to speak up in the workplace. She urges leaders to learn to listen and to create spaces where people feel comfortable to share.   Resources from this episode: Follow Animah on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into disrupting the status quo with Cindy Gallop, a trailblazing entrepreneur, brand innovator, and advocate for social change. Discover why identifying your core values and beliefs is key to living a much simpler and happier life. We’re also exploring Cindy’s most ambitious project yet, a sex education academy.    Cindy has been described as a woman who will change the way you think about sex and money. She’s the alchemist turning advertising lead into gold and the voice shouting ‘show me the money’ to a VC world that seems to have misplaced its checkbook when it comes to female founders.    Key Discussion Points: 02:44 Walking in Your Authenticity: Being your authentic self is how you are going to attract the network or village you will need along this journey.  05:22 Identifying Your Values: By identifying your values and beliefs, your life will be so much easier. This applies to both individuals and businesses. 11:37 Overcoming Fear by Taking Action: Micro-actions are a way to change behavior from the bottom up. 15:00 Getting Out of Toxic Situations: If you are in situations filled with micro-aggressions, do not stick it out. It is time to pivot. 21:17 Becoming a Role Model: You have a responsibility to become the role model you never had in order to create meaningful change. 30:02 Reinventing Industry Through the Female Lens: If you start your own business, you can design a culture that you want and that others want to work in. 35:37 Make Love Not Porn: Discover Cindy’s groundbreaking social sextech platform and her most ambitious project yet, an academy of sex education.   In Summary: Cindy Gallop challenges us to be our authentic selves so that our village can find us. She urges us to leave toxic situations, pivot, and start our own businesses to create cultures that other people would love to work in.   Resources from this episode: Invest in Make Love Not Porn Follow Cindy on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms