The Art of Speaking Up

Today’s episode is all about the light at the end of the tunnel – the positive things that start rolling in in your career once you begin showing up with a greater presence. This episode is meant to encourage anyone who might be struggling, and to remind anyone who’s encountering success to CELEBRATE their success. It was inspired by a listener under the avatar of Sarroyo1991. Thank you Sarroyo!! (-: I hope you enjoy it! And please feel free to reach out to me on instagram (@theartofspeakingup) and say hello! To submit an anonymous listener question, click here: https://forms.gle/3Xv7QHkR7MfnhQzQA Thanks for tuning in!

This week on the show, I'm talking with guest Marissa all about her professional growth and the challenges she's grown through as she has built up here career in international development. In this conversation we dive deep into the struggles of questioning one's belonging and we also talk about: -Learning to speak up and feel more FREE at work -Imposter syndrome -Wondering if you fit in -The processof learning to believe in yourself, your ideas, and what you have to offer so that you're able to step into greater leadership roles -Working in foreign aid / int'l development -How life is a squiggly line, not a straight line -Letting go of CONTROL -Marissa's startup and much more! Check out Marissa's startup at www.reedoeapp.com, and as always, please reach out to me on instagram (@theartofspeakingup) and say hello! To submit an anonymous listener question, click here: https://forms.gle/3Xv7QHkR7MfnhQzQA Thanks for tuning in!

Today we are celebrating the podcast turning 1!!! In honor of this birthday, I decided to stray from the typical episode format and bring you a scripted mini-episode where I ask the podcast what gift it would like for its first birthday. Listen in to find out the answer ;-)

Welcome to the show! In this solo episode, I’m walking through a simple 3-step map that you can use to pursue your next career move. But even more importantly, I’m covering the mindset blocks that might get in the way. Because the truth is, it’s not really about knowing what to do. I believe you likely already know more than you think. I believe it’s about having the confidence to take those forward steps. And this episode is all about that – I’m chatting about the three steps you’ll want to take, and how to keep your confidence high as you begin to take them. I hope you enjoy this episode! Come say hello on Instagram (@theartofspeakingup), I love to hear from you and receive your questions. Please feel free to submit an anonymous listener question here: https://forms.gle/zH7oyyAwGBUMyFidA As always, it’s a pleasure to have you tuning in (:

If you have ever worried that you’ll never be outgoing or bold enough to advance to higher levels of leadership in your career, today’s episode will prove you wrong. Today’s guest, Sarah Ghattas, has reached VP level at a major organization. She boldly leads teams and pushes forward her company’s vision, but her leadership & boldness was something she grew into over time. As a kid and during her early career years, she was incredibly quiet and shy, and throughout her career she did the inner work necessary to help her show up with greater courage in her career. Today she leads with power, empathy, and confidence and serves as an incredible role model to us all! If you are trying to figure out how to show up with greater presence, but you struggle to do so authentically or you find it scary to speak up, then Sarah’s advice and story is sure to touch you and leave you feeling like anything is possible for you (which is true!) Check out Sarah on Instagram at @sarahjghattas, and check out her blog at https://sarahghattas.com/

Do you find yourself getting swept away by the negative chatter that permeates your mind? Do you feel like sometimes you are struggling because you’re getting in your own way? Do you wish you could see yourself in a more positive, optimistic light? If the answer is yes, this episode is for you! In this solo episode, I walk you through a model that I use to help calm the noise of self-criticism, and be my own strongest supporter. If you relate – let me know! Come chat with me on Instagram - @theartofspeakingup In the meantime – have a fabulous week!

**Check out Qaali’s brand new podcast here!** https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/professional-muslim-women/id1477502689 And check out her article here: https://opmed.doximity.com/articles/youre-the-surgeon-56cb2f1fb6c8 ~~~ This week, I’m talking with trauma surgeon Qaali Hussein all about her medical career, and the challenges she’s faced at work and in life and she pursued her dream of being a mom and becoming a surgeon at the same time. Qaali broke major barriers in her industry - being pregnant while training to become a surgeon is not widely accepted in the medical community, and her identity as a Muslim women subjected her to even greater scrutiny as she moved ahead and attempted to build a career while being true to who she is. Through her journey, she built a core of unshakeable strength and confidence - and she shares this journey with us in today’s conversation. Be sure to check out her show, and as always, please reach out to me on instagram (@theartofspeakingup) and let me know what you think! Have an amazing week (:

In today’s episode, I’m talking with a listener of the podcast, Tami Lyons! In this interview, she opens up about how her mindset got in her own way professionally, and how she learned to let go of self-questioning and constant worrying about what other people think. In this interview, you’ll hear Tami and I talk about: Tami’s evolution and mindset growth Tami’s early career struggle How to handle confusion, ambiguity, and struggle Self talk Self criticism vs. Self encouragement Uncovering strengths Using strengths to overcome challenges And so much more! In addition to running a ski school, Tami has spent much of her career in the corporate world. She currently works as a fractional CEO with How to Manage a Small Firm, where she provides CEO services to small and silo practitioner law firms. A HUGE thank you to Tami for coming on the show and sharing her story. Please take a moment to let us know if you liked this conversation by rating and reviewing us in the Apple podcasts app! As always, thanks for tuning in and I’ll catch you next week! -Jess

Welcome to a summer bonus episode! In this bonus episode I’m chatting with a good friend of mine and women’s empowerment coach Charlotte Kaye. Charlotte used to be in the 9-5 world, and now coaches women to help them set boundaries and take control of their lives. In this episode, we explore some interesting themes: -The importance of letting go, and accepting people for who they are at work -What to do when negative feelings arise at work -How to feel more joy and ease in the workplace -How to learn to appreciate coworkers -How to build the courage to be yourself at work And much more! To get in touch with Charlotte, follow her on Instagram (@airyfairyfeminist) and check out her website at https://www.airyfairyfeminist.com/ And be sure to check out her free 5 day boundary setting challenge: https://www.airyfairyfeminist.com/saynochallenge As always, thanks for tuning in and I’ll catch you in September for the premier of Season 3!! (I can’t wait….) -Jess

Come join me on Instagram (@theartofspeakingup)! Today’s bonus episode is intended to help you build courage if you know you want something more for your career, but find yourself questioning – “Am I actually good enough?” Spoiler: the answer is YES! You are. But listen to this episode if you need a little bit of help to get there!

Welcome to the Finale of Season 2 of the show! Keeping consistent with Season 1’s theme, in today’s season Finale I’m recapping what I’ve been learning throughout Season 2 in terms of personal and professional growth, and sharing my most meaningful lessons with you in the hopes of helping you through whatever you might be struggling with. And today I’m talking about a favorite topic of mine: playing big, and making the brave and bold decision to show up in your career in ways you never have before. Oftentimes, we play small. We’re afraid of taking risks, we’re afraid we’re not good enough, and we’re afraid of making mistakes. But just because we feel afraid, it doesn’t mean we can’t choose to push ourselves towards greatness. This episode is all about stepping into a bigger, bolder, and more authentic version of yourself so that you can turbocharge you career trajectory and your professional fulfillment. If you are ready to uplevel in your career and begin bringing the absolute best of what you have to offer to work with you, then this episode is for you. Whether you want to do this in big ways or small, I want to give you the tools, the push, and the encouragement to go after whatever it is you are wanting. I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, please reach out to me! You can find me on Instagram at @theartofspeakingup, or join the Facebook group by searching for ‘The Art of Speaking Up’ on Facebook. And don’t forget: you are a wildly gifted, talented, and passionate being and your biggest impact on the world happens when you begin to truly embrace this. Thanks for tuning in! (:

We all want to feel strong and confident at work, no doubt. But for women – it can be hard. We often feel pressure to assimilate to the work culture that surrounds us, and this often means turning off our femininity and dulling our true personality in order to fit in with our environment. And yet – our identity is the strongest foundation we have. When we are able to come into ourselves and show up just as we are, we can begin to tap into our deepest source of power and self-confidence. In today’s conversation, you’ll hear all about Camila’s journey through this very process. As someone who identifies as being creative and feminine, it took Camila some time to come into her own and find a sense of strength and identity in the male dominated finance industry. Camila’s story reminds us of an important truth that we should hold onto closely if we’re trying to build confidence. She reminds us that true confidence is never about impressing the people around us. In fact, it has very little to do with what people around us think. Instead, it’s about those moments where we impress *ourselves.* Whether it’s by doing something that feels scary or taking a big risk, the strongest form of confidence comes when we cheer ourselves on through those moments of intense vulnerability and fear. You’ll also hear Camila talk about: Dropping perfectionism and detail orientation in order to grow as a leader The discomfort involved in growing and developing The struggle to set boundaries at work Career twists and turns and the challenges of finding one’s path The challenges of embracing femininity in masculine environments How Camila built confidence in unconventional ways by exploring her creative passions outside the workplace The importance of expressing yourself creatively outside of your job, and how following your curiosities outside work can help you grow at work The social and cultural challenges of being a woman What to do when you’re feeling stuck If you are looking to build your confidence or find your voice in the workplace, then you will find today’s conversation rich with insights and nuggets that will serve you on your personal and professional path. As always, thank you for tuning in, and be sure to get in touch! You can reach me in Instagram at @theartofspeakingup – and do not hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear from you!

Feeling confident at work is pretty much a universal desire – I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t interested in feeling more confident professionally in some way, shape, or form. That challenge with this, though, is that building confidence can often seem very elusive. We know how we *want* to feel, but we aren’t quite sure how to get there. This can lead us feeling stuck and frustrated, and not feeling empowered to move ourselves through whatever challenges we are experiencing. I absolutely love today’s guest Erin Foley, because she turned the definition of self-confidence on its head (in a good way). In this episode, I asked Erin what her definition of confidence is. I was very curious to hear her perspective – after all, she’s a mindset coach who focuses on coaching working women like myself to trust themselves and their capabilities. And her answer did not disappoint me. Erin helped me see that confidence is not just about ‘feeling good,’ but rather, confidence a willingness to take courageous action in spite of feeling *not* good. This blew my mind! Not only was it incredibly liberating, but it also helped me see that confidence is not a feeling that we hope to feel. Confidence is about the decisions that we choose to make. This is incredibly empowering, because we can’t always choose to feel confident, but we *can* always choose to take the actions that we want to take, even if they seem intimidating or scary. In this episode, you’ll also hear Erin talk about: Contingent confidence vs. a growth mindset Why successful people don’t need to be confident all the time The relationship between mistakes and failure The importance of playfulness Impostor syndrome Why it’s okay to feel awkward or uncomfortable at times The importance of showing your true self at work How to have patience with your professional goals Tips to cultivate confidence How to find value in hard things To learn more about Erin, check out her website: https://www.erinmfoley.com/ And to reach out to me or send a listener question in, you can reach me in Instagram (@theartofspeakingup) or via email ([email protected]) As always, thanks for tuning in, and catch you next week!

Do you struggle to believe that you belong in, and are good enough for your job? Do you feel like impostor syndrome has become a way of life for you? If you struggle to believe in yourself and your capabilities, then today’s episode with mindset coach Erin Foley will be perfect for you. While we may feel alone in our mindset struggles, Erin’s coaching work and expertise sheds light on just how common it is to get stuck in the fear that we aren’t truly good enough for the jobs that we hold. As Erin explains, it is totally normal to feel this way in our jobs, particularly when we’re in new environments, or taking on new roles or projects. Rather than get caught in the negative spiral that this type of thinking can send us down, Erin encourages us to step back from our thoughts and get perspective on the situation. Often, what we are perceiving as the truth is not as closely connected to reality as we may think it is. In this conversation, Erin offers insights, advice, and techniques to help us break free from this negative thought pattern. Erin also explains the difference between perfectionism and healthy ambition, and explains how the need for external approval drives perfectionistic tendencies. She also delves into impostor syndrome, breaking down what it looks like, the different types of impostor syndrome, and what to do if we are stuck in it. This episode is perfect for anyone who is having troubles trusting that they are good enough for their job. I found Erin’s wisdom to be refreshing, honest, insightful…and a huge relief. Knowing that these feelings are normal, and knowing that there are ways to move through them is encouraging and uplifting. I felt this sense of possibility and optimism while learning from Erin, and I hope you do as well. To get in touch with Erin, check out her website at https://www.erinmfoley.com/, and as always, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @theartofspeakingup Thanks for tuning in, and catch you next week for part 2 of my conversation with Erin!

Do you spend a lot of time and energy thinking about the areas where you struggle? When you run into something that doesn’t come naturally to you, does it send you down a tailspin of self-criticism and worry? As human beings, it’s normal for us to be good at some things and bad at others, and yet, when we run into our weaknesses in a professional setting, we seem to forget this. We often hold ourselves to very high, superhuman standards that we wouldn’t hold ourselves to in other situations. So what gives? Well, the workplace is a place where we’re expected to show excellence. From the pressure to construct the perfect shiny resume to the tendency to avoid any open discussion about our struggles and vulnerabilities, the professional world often tells us (in subtle and often unintentional ways) that our flaws might not be welcome. Now, this isn’t to say that we shouldn’t be aiming to do our best work. It’s actually the very opposite – our best work comes about when we are ACCEPTING of the quirks and flaws that make us human. When we accept the entire package of who we are, both the good and the bad, this is when we begin to build GENUINE confidence. And genuine confidence is what gives us the fuel and the resilience to do our best work and overcome obstacles. And so in embracing our weaknesses, we are actually helping ourselves become strong. Our humanity is defined by how unique and diverse we are as humans, and this uniqueness includes our good parts and our bad parts. As human beings, we are a little bit of everything, and denying the normalcy of our flaws keeps us in a state of perfectionistic fear that actually makes it harder for us to perform our best. So what should you do about your struggles and weaknesses? For one, stop worrying about them or hiding from them. In doing so, you reinforce the story that these things make you ‘bad,’ and that they need to be hidden. In being open and gentle with yourself, you reinforce the much more empowering belief that you are inherently valuable just as you are, flaws and all. And second, be mindful of the fact that the professional world hasn’t quite figured out how to balance compassionate dialogue about where we struggle with the need for top performance. I personally believe that these things go hand in hand, but it’s rare to see this idea in action in the professional world. So just start by accepting yourself inwardly, and reminding yourself that the working world isn’t always ‘real.’ It’s a place where everyone projects their ‘best selves,’ and this can skew our perception of what is and isn’t normal and acceptable. If you enjoyed this episode, let me know! You can reach out to me or submit a listener question on Instagram: @theartofspeakingup – and if you’re enjoying the show, leave a rating in iTunes!

Are you self-conscious about the sound of your own voice? Do you hesitate to speak up for fear that you won't sound confident? If you struggle to accept the sound of your voice, then today's episode is for you. Today I'm speaking with Tracy Goodwin, voice coach and owner of Captivate the Room. Tracy has dedicated her career to helping people connect with their authentic voices. In addition to working with performers and actors, Tracy also does extensive work with leaders and Professionals in the corporate space, helping them connect with the truest and most authentic version of their own voices. One of my absolute favorite things about Tracy's work is that her method does not emphasize changing our voice, but rather, Tracy helps her clients uncover the voice that is most authentic to them. As Tracy will share, we often hide behind vocal mechanisms and ways of speaking that are not true to who we are. This can make it more challenging for us to have impact and for us to express ourselves and our ideas effectively. If you’ve listen to the show before, you know that authenticity is core value of the show, and Tracy's work is rooted in uncovering the authentic sound of each person’s voice. In this conversation, you will learn how to unpeel the layers of fear that may be keeping you from tapping into the most authentic version of your voice, and uncover how you can express confidence and authenticity through the sound of your voice. Tracy shares insights and advice on how to be more confident in our voices, and she explains the connection between how we feel and how our voice sounds. She also shares the basic building blocks of vocal variety and explains how we can use these to have more impact when we speak. I absolutely loved connecting with Tracy, and if you want to learn more about her I highly recommend checking out her work at https://captivatetheroom.com/. Tracy also has a podcast called Captivate the room: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-past-your-story-and-finding-your-voice-with-jessica/id1091333779?i=1000438941257 Thank you so much for listening, and as always, feel free to reach out or submit a listener question to me on Instagram at @theartofspeakingup

Have you ever felt uncertain about your career path, wondering whether you're moving in the right direction and whether you are where you are supposed to be professionally? It’s easy to get swept up in the uncertainty of not knowing exactly where we want to go professionally, and this uncertainty can transform enjoyment of our own careers into a sense of dread and anxiety. But all it takes is a small shift in perspective to realize that not knowing exactly where we are going isn't necessarily a negative thing. In fact, if we can begin to view each step forward as an exercise in data-gathering, and an opportunity to learn more about what we like what we don't like, we can release the pressure of not having all the answers and simply enjoy the learning and exploration that happens as we move through our careers and try on different roles and projects. Today's guest, Charissa Stowers, talks all about her own career path and the winding route that it took. In today's conversation you'll hear all about how Charissa began her career in a retail job working on the floor at the Apple Store and moved all the way up to a director-level position in the tech vertical specializing in Learning and Development. Charissa talks about why it is okay not to have everything figured out all at once and how we can take small steps in our careers to explore our interests and learn what it is we want in our careers. We also talked about how it is normal to feel uncertain and even overwhelmed when you're first entering into a new job or work environment. I also asked Charissa what it's been like to transition into becoming a mom and how that has impacted her career. Her answers might surprise you! And most exciting of all, because Charissa specializes in helping professionals grow in their jobs, in this episode she shares a goal setting in visioning exercise that we can do to help identify what we want our professional future to look like and what steps we can take today to get there. I absolutely loved talking with Charissa. My conversation with her reminded me of the fact that when we treat our careers with lightness and a sense of adventure we can move through times of uncertainty with a sense of ease, wonder, and joy - rather than a sense of anxiety and overwhelm. If you enjoyed today's episode, please leave a rating in the iTunes Store, and as always, feel free to get in touch with me and submit your listener questions on Instagram! (@theartofspeakingup) As always, thanks for tuning in!

Do you ever find yourself being excessively nice or getting addicted to people pleasing in the workplace? If you answered yes, you are not alone. So many women struggle with adopting niceness and people please as a front to cover up and conceal our true feelings, opinions, and emotions. And this is an unfortunate thing, because when we conceal what we want to say and who we are, we can't bring our strongest and best selves to the workplace. We may have a tendency to blame ourselves for falling into this pattern, but it's important to remind ourselves but this is a cultural condition that goes hand in hand with being a woman. Our society has trained us to be nice by causing us to be very afraid of what might happen if we are “mean.” Women are so easily labeled, alienated, and torn down for being “angry” or “crazy,” and this makes us afraid of what might happen if we express disagreement. We want to be liked so that we can avoid these cruel and unnecessary labels, and often we do this by leaning on niceness and people pleasing to ensure that we're protected from this very real threat. And what an unfortunate thing this is. Not only are we struggling to express what we truly want to express, we are also often getting down on ourselves for falling into people pleasing. Today's episode is all about accepting that this is NOT our fault, and beginning to take back our power. One of the most effective ways to begin to unpack and dismantle excessive niceness is to understand what drives us to do it. In this episode I suggest a three-step method that anyone can follow to try to get down to the root cause of their niceness. Step 1 is to begin to notice what specific situations cause your niceness or people-pleasing to flare up. Are there: -Specific people -Specific environments, or -Specific types of interactions that really trigger you and send you down a spiral of being excessively nice? Once you identify these situations, pick just one and move on to Step 2. Step 2 entails getting really quiet and asking yourself: ‘In this situation, what am I afraid of?’ Be very honest with yourself, and dig deeper and deeper until you get to the root cause. You will know that you have reached the root cause because it will trigger a strong feeling within you. When we are afraid of something, there is deep fear embedded in our minds and our bodies. When you explore your fears and you reflect upon what it is you're so afraid of, you will know when you have hit on the ‘thing.’ And once you know what it is, you can step back and reflect ask yourself if your fear is really true. You can also ask yourself if the fear belongs to you, or if you have adopted and picked it up from society. And then you get to decide if you want to carry this fear with you, or if you want to let it go and move on. I hope that you enjoyed this week's episode, and be sure to let me know if you relate to this topic and if you tried the method that I suggested. As always, you can find me on Instagram at @theartofspeakingup or you can email me at Jessica@the artofspeakingup.com. As always, thank you for listening!

We're all trying to be more confident at work, which is why I love talking with women who exude an authentic sense of confidence and who fully embrace themselves and who they are. Today's guest, Trina Martin, has built an impressive career in STEM and in the Navy, pursuing her dreams and reaching her goals without a support system. In today's conversation I talk with Trina all about her key learnings from her career journey and we cover everything from how to walk into a room with confidence to what to do when you find yourself not knowing the answer to a question at work. We also talk about the struggles of being who we are and accepting ourselves as women and why it can be hard to do so, especially in a professional environment. Trina also chats about the importance of not caring what other people think about us and of owning who we are at work We also cover: Career regrets Trina’s experiences being the only woman of color in the room Her career in IT and becoming a naval officer Walking into a room with confidence What to do when you don’t know the answer The struggle of being yourself and accepting who you are (especially as a woman) How to speak up powerfully, persuasively, and confidently Not caring what other people think How to operate as a leader no matter your job title or position Turning 30, 40, 50, and caring less and less about what other people think Sitting at the back of the room Being a leader no matter your title Compassion / difficult coworkers Getting connected to your joy, and Speaking up when you have a better way to do something or something you want to share If you are struggling to build confidence, find your voice at work, or you're just looking for some empowerment inspiration, today's episode pretty much runs the gamut! Be sure to check out Trina's podcast Trina talk: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trina-talk/id1437583147 As well as her website: https://www.trinamartin.com/ To submit a listener question to the show just reach out to me on Instagram at @theartofspeakingup As always, thank you for listening and I can't wait to catch you again next week!

Have you ever found yourself feeling confused at work, having no idea what the people around you are saying? Does this make you feel uneasy or anxious? If so, this episode is for you. It's actually totally normal not to know what is going on - and this episode will explain exactly why. To get in touch, come find me at @theartofspeakingup on Instagram!

If you discovered that you only had a decade left in your career, how might you begin to show up differently? Perhaps you’d begin to speak up more at work, or set more ambitious career goals. Or maybe you’d simply allow yourself to have more fun, take more risks, and be more adventurous. Today’s guest had a moment in her career where a scary health diagnosis lead her to ask herself a scary question: “Am I happy with the way things are going if I only had a decade left?” Through this experience, she realized that she wasn’t showing up the way that she wanted to, and that fears and fear of judgment was holding her back. She made a big shift in her career and her life, and as a result of this shift she now focuses on coaching professionals and helping them release their limiting beliefs and step into their full potential. If you are feeling stuck, struggling to take risks, playing small, or fearing judgment or failure in your career or your job, this episode is for you. As part of our exploration of what it means to release fear and let go of the fear of judgment, Jess is challenging the listeners to reach out to her and share your goals! She will pick one winner who will receive a gift in exchange for their courage and bravery. To complete Jess’s challenge, simply: Take some time to imagine your best self. List out all of the qualities your best self has Pick 1 quality on your list that you are most excited about, and think of 1 tiny next step you can do to move closer to it Email me ([email protected]) and Jess ([email protected]) and tell us what your tiny step is Jess will pick 1 person who reached out and we’ll be sending them a gift as a reward for their bravery! To get in touch with Jess, you can find her at jessratcliffe.com and on all socials at @jessratcliffe, and on her podcast which is titled Unleash Your Extraordinary with Jess Ratcliffe (https://anchor.fm/jess-ratcliffe) As always, thank you for tuning in!

If you've ever wondered, "how do I uncover my strengths?" then today's episode is for you! If you only ever focus on one thing in your career, let it be your strengths. Your strengths will get you farther than anything else, because they are truly the place where your natural born gifts intersect with your joy. Once you learn what they are and begin to unleash them across your career, everything will begin to change. In this episode, I explain how to go about uncovering your strengths, why this is so important, and how to incorporate them into your day-to-day. Even if you think you're not good at anything at all, I can almost guarantee you that you're wrong. Almost anything that you enjoy, whether it is inside or outside of work, is connected to a strength. In today's episode, you'll learn all about how to uncover your strengths and how to unleash them in your career.

In this week's bonus episode, Geeta explains why visualization works from a scientific perspective, and explains how we can use visualization to build confidence and speak up at work.

When things get tough at work, we have a tendency to blame ourselves. We may wonder whether we lack the talent to do things properly, or whether the struggle we’re running into is a result of our own lack of talent or intellect. And unfortunately, when we go down this line of thinking, it can make these tough situations even tougher. When we begin stressing about our own capabilities and tying our self-worth to the work that we’re doing, we make it difficult for our body to relax and rise to the occasion of the challenge that lies in front of us. Luckily, there are ways to get unstuck from this pattern, and today’s guest Geeta Chaudry tells us how. Geeta coaches and guide some of the smartest engineers out there and helps them tackle very difficult algorithms and problems. And in this episode she shares some of the techniques that she uses that can help us when we find ourselves feeling stuck or paralyzed by a difficult professional situation. In this episode you will learn: Why we cause ourself to get stuck Why tying our self-worth to our work can be dangerous How to get unstuck when we’re hitting a wall How to handle ambiguity How to leverage the power of intention setting at work How to become a powerful problem solver And so much more! You can find Geeta on linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geeta-chaudhry-a963411/ And please reach out to me on Instagram! @Theartofspeakingup

I loved this week’s conversation with Asari so much. Asari is an attorney who opens up about how she’s built a successful career and remained authentic to her true personality at the same time. We talk about how mentorships and professional relationships are often at the core of a successful career, but more importantly, Asari explains why you don’t have to be super extraverted or even 100% confident to begin building and cultivating professional relationships. Asari reflects on how she’s settled into her own way of working and being in the workplace, making her authentic qualities of introversion and inner reflectiveness work for her in the world of litigation, which is often anything but introverted and inwardly reflective. We also talk about many topics that women frequently struggle with professionally, and Asari offers a perspective that shifts these struggles into positives. She helped reframe common things we might view as ‘problems’ into things that are neutral or positive. For example, she explains: How perfectionism can simply be an invitation for us to open up and let go How introversion isn’t a negative thing, just a character trait How an ‘unfun’ networking event can be viewed as a chance to make genuine connections How being quiet or reflective can make relationship building easier And so much more! As always, thank you for tuning in, and send your listener questions to me on Instagram at @theartofspeakingup

I know very few women who don’t struggle with saying ‘no’ – especially in a professional environment. It’s often instinctual for us to want to say and do the right thing so that we can preserve our reputations, do good work, and make the people around us happy. But when does the tendency to always say yes bring us farther away from our goals? The more we say yes on autopilot, the more we risk frustration, burnout, and feeling like we’re not embodying our full authenticity by speaking and sharing our opinions truthfully. Luckily, today’s guest has dedicated her ow career to helping women say ‘no.’ Once dubbed ‘quiet Vicky’ by her classmates, today’s guest was extremely shy as a child and eventually found her own courage and voice by delving into the world of acting. Today’s guest, Vicky S. Joseph, is the founder of The Art of Expression. As a communication consultant and acting coach, she helps women who are *way too nice* communicate with confidence on stage, in personal and professional relationships. She has a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications. Her specialties include: conflict resolution, effective communication, boundary setting, emotional assessments and assertiveness training. In this episode, Vicky shares key advice, tips, and tactics to help us say no and explains why this can be so hard. We also run through common work scenarios that arise that can make it challenging to say no, and Vicky help us craft language we can use at work to get through these tricky situations. You can find Vicky online and on social media: Vickysjoseph.com @Vickyallday (Twitter and Insta) Vicky S. Joseph (Facebook) Books mentioned by Vicky: Codependent no more No more Christian nice girl Boundaries by Henry Cloud To submit a listener question to the show, DM me on Instargam! @theartofspeakingup

Self-confidence can be one of the most important, and also one of the most elusive feelings that we pursue in our lives and our careers. We all want to feel strong, powerful, and at ease each day in our jobs. We’ve tried the power poses and the tips and tricks around building confidence, and while these confidence hacks might give us a temporary boost, we are often left back at square one, feeling like we haven’t made much progress. So what’s missing here? Why is it such a struggle to cultivate such a simple feeling? Often, it’s because the guidance and advice that we receive around building self-confidence attempts to change us from the outside-in. It tells us how to speak, how to work, and how to act. We strive for an ideal that is outside of ourselves, and when we inevitably fail to meet this ideal, we find ourselves once again struggling. The key to building confidence is to build it from the inside-out. For a moment, forget about who you think you’re supposed to be, how you think you’re supposed to act, dress, or speak. Instead, turn inwards and connect with your truest authentic self, and build your confidence from the inside out. This sounds a little flighty and abstract, no? I’ll make it more concrete for you by telling you exactly how you can connect with your true authentic essence. You can do so simply by identifying what your values are. Your values are the things you care about most, the things that you hold dearest to your heart. If you’re struggling to figure out what your values are, I find it to be much easier to start a sentence with the phrase “I care about…” Here are some examples to get you started: I care about being a force for positive and good I care about respecting those around me and being respected I care about making people feel included I care about being honest and genuine I care about helping those around me I care about giving it my best shot, even if it’s difficult I care about persevering through challenges I care about being kind to myself and others I care about learning I care about growing I care about teamwork I care about integrity I care about creativity and innovation I care about connection I care about being fair to everyone I care about inspiring those around me It’s best to pick the 1 or 2 values that you feel most strongly about. You’ll know when you find them, because you’ll feel very strongly connected to them. You may even notice physiological changes in your body. Once you know what your values are, lean on them to build confidence. When a wave of self-doubt or uncertainty looms over you, come back to your values. They are always available to lean on. And ask yourself a simple question: “How can I lean on my values to carry me through this?” If your values are kindness, focus on how you can bring kindness into situations that really challenge your confidence. This should be easy – leaning on your values is always natural, comfortable, and familiar because your values are core to who you really are. Remember this: anyone can grow and change, and you are worthy of feeling confident and feeling good. Please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram - @theartofspeakingup – I love hearing from you!

Life can be hard, and it’s nearly impossible for our careers not to feel the strain of the challenges that so often arise in our personal lives. But the amazing thing is – we can choose how we want to move through personal challenges that impact our careers, and we can decide to focus our energy and efforts on finding professional success and fulfillment despite our struggles. And if you want a playbook on how to do this, Rachel’s story has you covered. Rachel tells the story of building a successful career from scratch, despite facing challenges with her health, her finances, and her personal life. In this episode you’ll hear about: Bootstrapping a career path without a financial cushion What it’s like to pursue an ambitious career path while managing anxiety, depression, PTSD What’s worked for Rachel to mentally center and ground herself when things get difficult How she’s learned to speak up and become more vocal in meetings How she’s advanced in her career and built confidence over time How being diagnosed with MS has changed her mindset How to deal with a manager who is micromanaging And more! As always, you can submit your listener questions to [email protected] or DM me on Instagram - @theartofspeakingup. And feel free to join the free facebook group (facebook.com/groups/theartofspeakingup) for more intimate discussion following the show. Thank you, as always, for listening and being a part of this effort to amplify and uplift professional women. Life can be hard, and it’s nearly impossible for our careers not to feel the strain of the challenges that so often arise in our personal lives. But the amazing thing is – we can choose how we want to move through personal challenges that impact our careers, and we can decide to focus our energy and efforts on finding professional success and fulfillment despite our struggles. And if you want a playbook on how to do this, Rachel’s story has you covered. Rachel tells the story of building a successful career from scratch, despite facing challenges with her health, her finances, and her personal life. In this episode you’ll hear about: Bootstrapping a career path without a financial cushion What it’s like to pursue an ambitious career path while managing anxiety, depression, PTSD What’s worked for Rachel to mentally center and ground herself when things get difficult How she’s learned to speak up and become more vocal in meetings How she’s advanced in her career and built confidence over time How being diagnosed with MS has changed her mindset How to deal with a manager who is micromanaging And more! As always, you can submit your listener questions to [email protected] or DM me on Instagram - @theartofspeakingup. And feel free to join the free facebook group (facebook.com/groups/theartofspeakingup) for more intimate discussion following the show. Thank you, as always, for listening and being a part of this effort to amplify and uplift professional women.

If I had to boil women’s empowerment down to just one thing, it would be mindset. In my view, mindset is the swiss army knife of any career challenge – because when your mindset is right, you can find the solution to virtually any problem. Today’s guest, Tasha Thomas, talks all about how mindset how propelled her through her career, starting out as an intern and now propelling her to the leadership position that she holds today. She talks about everything from building confidence to how to know when the time is right to move on from a job to how to build a tight relationship with your manager. Whether you’re looking for tactical career tips or mindset advice – Tasha hits on pretty much anything. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Finding one’s voice and personality in a professional context Why networking is worth it, even if you hate it How to get the most learning & development out of a job Figuring out when it’s time to move on from a job or uplevel Seeing challenges and negative experiences in a positive light Developing softer leadership skills How to manage up Tasha’s advice on building a solid rapport with your manager Tasha’s experience being the only black woman in the room How Tasha has built up her confidence over time I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram to submit feedback or a listener question for the show!

In today’s BONUS episode, I talk about why it is perfectly OK not to be the loudest, boldest, or most talkative person in the room. In fact - your introversion can serve you well in the workplace - you just need to learn to harness it! In this episode, I explain how to begin tapping into your unique introvert superpowers.

This week I chat with Nicole Martins all about her career journey in the legal field. Nicole opens up about how some of her personal struggles impacted the course of her career, and we talk about how she remained strong and focused throughout her professional journey, even as she encountered major roadblocks and barriers. You’ll also hear us talk about: How to manage personal challenges that spill over into work Getting through work while grieving the loss of parents Seeing that career and financial success is possible despite personal struggle Landing a high paying law gig without a fancy school, connections, or high GPA Getting a resume to the top of the pile without the perfect grades & experience Building confidence Getting over the fear of talking to very senior colleagues And so much more! This episode is perfect for anyone who is feeling stuck and wanting to get inspired to reach higher in their careers. It is also perfect for anyone who is on the journey of building confidence and trying to understand how to have a powerful and authentic presence in workplace, even when it feels difficult. I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram to submit feedback or a listener question for the show!

Join the facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/theartofspeakingup/ This week’s episode is a solo episode, where I explore the emergence of my inner critic both in my career and in my creation of this very podcast. As part of this exploration, I unpack the ways in which internalized misogyny has hardened my inner critic and caused me to direct a very viscous kind of hatred inwards, towards myself. I share what I’ve been learning from this experience, how I plan to dismantle my inner critic, and how this might be helpful to you. In doing so, I hope to bring light and positivity to the parts of ourselves that can often feel cruel or painful. If you’ve been listening since the beginning of the show – thank you so much! I am enormously grateful for your support. If you’d like to receive my inner critic journaling prompts, just write a review for the show in iTunes, screenshot it (before you submit), and send it to [email protected] or DM it to @theartofspeakingup on Instagram. Please support the show by subscribing and reviewing the show in iTunes, and by reaching out to submit a listener question! I can’t WAIT to catch you again in Season 2!!!

This week I chatted with Regina Romeo about her career in HR and everything she’s learned along the way about salary negotiation. Regina and I talked about the mental side of negotiation in addition to the tools and tactics of salary negotiation. In this conversation we cover: How to prepare to negotiate salary How to collect information prior to discussing salary so that you are prepared and informed Why it’s normal to be nervous or stressed to negotiate salary How to frame salary negotiations and asks Why it’s okay (and not a deal-breaker) to be nervous during interviews How to mentally get through career setbacks and tough times And lots more! Check our Regina’s podcast, office politics radio: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/office-politics-radio/id1358857631?mt=2 Join the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/722566004802516/ I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram to submit feedback or a listener question for the show!

This week, I’m talking with a childhood best friend of mine and landscape architect, Alexia Friend. In this episode, Alexia shares all about how she learned to manage her workload without sacrificing her dedication to her work and while still being a top performer at the architecture firm that she works at. In this episode we chat about: Pushing back against too much work Work like balance Time management How to communicate with maturity and leadership How to strategically push back with your manager Why it’s scary to ask for help at work How to strategically ask for help at work Having the confidence to leave the office when your coworkers/manager are still working Balancing work and having a family And much more! I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram to submit feedback or a listener question for the show!

This week I chatted with career coach Meg Duffy about the work she does helping women make career transitions. Meg specializes in helping women build and grow careers in tech, and supports her clients on a practical and an emotional level as they chart the next steps in their careers. In this conversation we hit on: How to break down big career transitions into smaller steps How impostor syndrome, fear, and anxiety can make career growth challenging and how to build confidence over time How to figure out what you like and what you don’t like professionally How to gain clarity about the direction of your career How to figure out what you want and set career and life goals What to do if you’ve just started a new job and are realizing it might not be a good fit Resources to help you better understand potential employers when you interview Get in touch with Meg: @Futureproofmeg on Instagram, https://meghan-duffy.com Resources: Creative morning job board: https://creativemornings.com/jobs WORK job board: https://www.bwork.com/ Keyvalues.com I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram to submit feedback or a listener question for the show!

Today I’m chatting with licensed therapist, Risha London Nathan, about her work as a therapist and how she supports female clients through some of the professional challenges that they encounter. Risha share advice and practical insights based on her years of training and experience, and in this episode we talk about: Why it can be difficult to ask for what we need and assert boundaries How fear of not being good enough can manifest professionally The importance self-acceptance and acknowledging our emotions How to release, process, and let go of strong negative emotions Being highly sensitive at work And much more! Check out Risha’s site, www.WellwithRisha.com and follow her in Instagram at @wellwithRisha. I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram to submit feedback or a listener question for the show!

This week I chatted with Helen Foster about toxic masculinity in the workplace. Our conversation was recorded back in September in the midst of the Brett Kavanaugh hearing, so toxic masculinity was thick in the air around us and fueled this conversation on a very important topic. In this conversation we talk about: What toxic male behavior in the workplace can look like How it can make us feel What to do if you are dealing with a toxic male coworker or work culture Why disrespectful coworkers make us feel bad even when we know we shouldn’t let it get to us The social pressures & timelines that women often face And so much more Follow Helen on Instagram at @Helefab_ and check out her website at www.Helefab.com I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram to submit feedback or a listener question for the show!

In this solo episode, I talk about why it can be so hard for us to be ourselves at work. We often contort our personalities or expend large amounts of energy trying to be the perfect persona at work, and we blame ourselves and turn self-critical when we fail to live up to this standard. In this episode I talk about why it’s not just okay to be and feel awkward and different at work – but why letting ALL aspects of your personality shine is critical to becoming the most powerful version of yourself. As mentioned on the show - here's a video of Steve Ballmer going crazy on stage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I14b-C67EXY I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram to submit feedback or a listener question for the show!

This week, I talk with women’s empowerment coach Lainey Crawford about moving through feelings of shyness and letting more of yourself show at work. Like myself, Lainey knows like what it is like to get stuck in silence and struggle to bring one’s ideas and uniqueness to the world around us. In this episode we talk about: How shyness and feelings of smallness can manifest in work and life Techniques for moving through them Feminine styles of leadership and communication How to get comfortable being more vocal at work And much more! If you would like to get in touch with Lainey, her website is www.laineycrawford.com Want to submit a listener question to be answered on the show? Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram

Samantha Siffring is a business coach who works with working moms who are growing their online businesses. Overwhelm and mental drama is an area she is deeply familiar with, and in this conversation, Samantha shares the tools and tactics that she uses with herself and with clients to help manage feelings of overwhelm, and to prevent overwhelm from spiraling into even deeper overwhelm and even panic (as it so often does for many of us) In this conversation we talk about: The ‘mental drama’ side of overwhelm The relationship between boundaries, people pleasing, and overwhelm Self-worth and overwhelm How to neutralize some of the difficult feelings that overwhelm can trigger How to stay sane when working in an open-plan office And much more! You can learn more about Samantha at www.TBHcoach.com and follow her on Instagram at @samanthahms Want to submit a listener question to be answered on the show? Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup in Instagram

CEO turned life coach Brenda Baird unpacks why we feel anxiety, stress, and unhappiness at work. She talks about how our internal monologue can make difficult situations feel even harder for us, and how our fears and insecurities can catabolize challenges into stress and anxiety. We also cover: What burnout looks like and why it happens How fear and our insecurities can amplify stress and anxiety How self-sabotage can show up at work Inner critics and how they impact our work Why we seek external validation You can learn more about Brenda’s work at: www.brendabairdcoaching.com Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck: https://amzn.to/2FHW1pQ Want to get in touch or submit a listener question? DM Jessica on Instagram at @theartofspeakingup or send an email to [email protected]

Whether it’s a frustrating project, a co-worker you don’t get along with, or just mental exhaustion – this conversation with Courtney dives into why we find ourselves feeling agitated and on edge some days at work. Courtney Clifford is a facilitator, coach, kundalini yoga & meditation teacher based in NYC. She is the founder of TRUE, a transformative experiential development company that generates increased inner awareness through a blend of yogic science, practical energetic philosophy and techniques. Courtney is also the creator Amplified EnergyTM as a way for people of all walks of life to experience their "TRUE" selves and achieve peace from the inside out. In this conversation we cover: Why emotional intelligence matters at work How we can examine the role we play in coworker frictions How to process and let go of negative emotions that we feel at work How to deepen our self-awareness, and How to stay centered when work is driving us nuts You can learn more about Courtney’s work at www.CourtneyClifford.com and follow her on Instagram - @courtopia. Want to submit a listener question to be answered on the show? Email [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram.

This episode is all about pursuing your career goals without hesitation. Britt’s story of landing a coveted tech role without an engineering degree or prior experience is proof that opportunities that might seem out of reach are often more attainable than we might think. In this episode, Britt and I chat about: How Britt landed a role in tech without an engineering degree or any prior tech experience How Britt ramped up and built confidence in her new role, despite being less experienced than everyone else on her team Britt’s advice for what to do if you feel like you need to ask a ‘dumb’ question (sidenote: I don’t believe that dumb questions are a real thing) How Britt approaches goal-setting and how she goes after big goals and works through failure or missed opportunities The challenges in building the courage to speak up and believe in our own ideas, goals, and ambitions And LOTS more This conversation is jam packed with honest advice and insights, as well as an answer to a listener question about what to do when you find yourself shrinking away in the presence of more senior coworkers or bosses. I hope you enjoy – and if you’re having any challenges at work, I want to hear from you!! Submit your listener questions to [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram. Thank you for listening! J This episode is all about pursuing your career goals without hesitation. Britt’s story of landing a coveted tech role without an engineering degree or prior experience is proof that opportunities that might seem out of reach are often more attainable than we might think. In this episode, Britt and I chat about: How Britt landed a role in tech without an engineering degree or any prior tech experience How Britt ramped up and built confidence in her new role, despite being less experienced than everyone else on her team Britt’s advice for what to do if you feel like you need to ask a ‘dumb’ question (sidenote: I don’t believe that dumb questions are a real thing) How Britt approaches goal-setting and how she goes after big goals and works through failure or missed opportunities The challenges in building the courage to speak up and believe in our own ideas, goals, and ambitions And LOTS more This conversation is jam packed with honest advice and insights, as well as an answer to a listener question about what to do when you find yourself shrinking away in the presence of more senior coworkers or bosses. I hope you enjoy – and if you’re having any challenges at work, I want to hear from you!! Submit your listener questions to [email protected] or DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram. Thank you for listening!

We need more female leaders in Corporate America, which means that as women, dreaming big for ourselves is not just fun, but actually critical to closing the corporate gender gap. In this episode, Jess discusses what it means to be ambitious and why it’s so important for ambitious women to not sell themselves short in terms of what they want for their careers. She discusses: Why it can feel scary and even uncomfortable to want something big for yourself Why we sometimes don’t allow ourselves to dream as big as we should Why dreaming big can be so powerful The relationship between female empowerment and career goals, and How you can start going after massive goals TODAY, no matter who you are or what you do If you’re interested in diving deeper into the topic of female ambition and desire, check out Appetites by Caroline Knapp: https://amzn.to/2TdyOyJ As always, please reach out if you’re enjoying the show! And feel free to submit a listener question

~~ Want to submit a listener question to be answered on the show? DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram or email [email protected] ~~ In this conversation, Carrie covers some of the key tenets behind achieving happiness and productivity in work and in life. Carrie and I chatted about: Why our brains can get stuck in negative mode, and how to reorient our thinking towards the positive How to build confidence when we’re feeling low Why criticism can sting so much and leave more of a lasting impact than positive feedback Why we can end up feeling stuck in our jobs, and what we can do to start to feel unstuck How we can bring more joy into our careers and our lives by exploring new strengths and passions How we can make work feel more fun and playful, and How we can ultimately live a more happy and fulfilling life My favorite thing about this interview was the list of techniques that Carrie suggested to help us get unstuck. They are: List of 100 accomplishments: list 100 things that you did well, accomplished, or that turned out well for you whenever you’re needing a boost in confidence or productivity Curiosity journal: spend a few days noticing everything you’re curious about and capturing it in a journal. Then reflect back and see what pops out to you, and get curious about how you can pursue it or learn more about it ‘What-if’ exercise: if you’re on the fence about something or feeling stuck, list out 10+ potential solutions that start with ‘what-if?’ Don’t filter out any ideas! Just list everything that comes to mind Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual: On a sheet of paper, draw four quadrants for each category, and list the things in that category that make you feel happy and fulfilled. Make sure you’re doing at least a few of those things every day or week The Unicorn hat: find an unconventional way to make a boring task more fun To learn more about Carrie, go to www.nextlevelcoachconsult.com Want to get in touch? Come chat with Jess on Instagram at @theartofspeakingup or email [email protected].

~~ Want to submit a listener question to be answered on the show? DM @theartofspeakingup on Instagram or email [email protected] ~~ Job searching can be tough. It is time consuming, at times discouraging, and can often put our self-esteem to the test. This is why I was so excited to sit down and chat with job-search coach Shea O’Dell Scott – not just about the process itself, but about the difficult feelings that job searching and interviewing can often elicit. Shea has built a successful career in the fashion (and now interior design industry), but like many, she struggled to land her very first job out of college. Now, she’s turned her own early job search struggles into a mission-driven side hustle: in addition to juggling her full-time job in interior design, Shea coaches clients with the goal of helping them land their very first job. But Shea is so much more than a career coach. Her vision for the work that she does was built off of the internal struggles that she faced when trying to land her first job. She does more than just help her clients with their resumes, applications, and interview prep – Shea helps them stay motivated, confident, and self-assured through the interview process. What I love so much about Shea and her work is that she takes a strengths-based, compassionate approach to working with her clients. She understands that job searching can mean so much more to us than it might appear on the surface – in many ways, the job search process can feel like it is mirroring our value and self-worth back to us as we await replies from employers, negotiate salary, and push through rounds of challenging interviews. In this conversation, Shea and I discuss everything from feeling scared to negotiate salary, to job search tips, to staying strong and confident through the search process. Shea also answers a question from a listener who is feeling discouraged after several weeks of unsuccessful job searching. Shea shares encouragement and tactical tips to help the listener stay strong and land the job she is wanting for herself. If you to learn more about Shea, her Instagram is @goyouguide and her website is www.goyouguide.com Want to get in touch? Come chat with Jess on Instagram at @theartofspeakingup or email [email protected].

Once upon a time, before smartphones were the norm, my employer gave me a Blackberry phone so that I could check email on the go. Did you know that Blackberries have a tiny little light that blinks red every time an email comes in? And remember, this was my work phone, so in my case - the little light blinked red every time a work email came in. My job was high-pressure, rapid-fire, and very demanding - which meant that the red blinky light blinked often, and with a distinct aura of urgency. Over time, the red blinky light became my master and I its slave, in a bizarre Pavlovian tango in which I’d constantly check to see if it was blinking. But that wasn’t the weirdest part of things. The weirdest part is what would happen when I wasn’t checking the phone to see if the light was blinking. Somehow, someway, by some crazy malfunction of my brain - the red blinky light began following me. I saw it in the shower, I saw it in the subway train - I even saw it one time in a breadbasket when I was on a date with my boyfriend at an Italian Restaurant. My mind had become completely consumed. And I felt stuck, because getting away from the red blinky light itself was not enough. The red blinky light was following me! If I could go back and advice my 25 year old self, I’d encourage her to try something that I was unfamiliar with at the time: meditation. Simply stated, meditation is strengthening our ability to observe our own thoughts. When we do so, we are able to identify unwanted thought patterns and disengage with them - even when we’re not meditating. In this episode, Charlotte Myers talks about how to meditate, and shares similar stories from her own career of times when her mind became consumed with negative thoughts and stress, and when she turned to mindfulness and meditation to feel better despite her difficult work circumstances. If you want to connect with Charlotte, her Instagram handle is @airyfairyfeminist and she hosts The Airy Fairy Feminist podcast. Shawn Achor’s podcast on positive psychology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLJsdqxnZb0 Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod:https://amzn.to/2R5SvGF 10% Happier by Dan Harris:https://amzn.to/2D2JJX4 The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor: https://amzn.to/2q5hfU7 Want to get in touch? Follow @theartofspeakingup on Instagram or email [email protected].

I remember getting feedback early on in my career that told me that I needed to learn to be more assertive. I also remember being confused and uncomfortable around the idea of assertiveness. What exactly did this mean? How and when was I supposed to do it? And most importantly, why did it feel so foreign and uncomfortable for me? Assertiveness is a complex, multi-layered topic – especially for many women. In this conversation with Kourtney, we dive deep into a very important piece of the assertiveness puzzle: why it can feel uncomfortable for so many of us, and how we can learn to stay strong in our communication without feeling like we’re sacrificing our authenticity. Kourtney is an influential leader in Corporate America, and in this episode, she shares how her voice, her presence, and her assertiveness evolved as she grew her career. Kourtney normalizes the fact that assertiveness can be very difficult – and in doing so, she enables us to breath a collective sigh of relief and know that we are not alone in our anxieties and discomfort around this topic. Kourtney provides valuable advice on how we can tap into a modality of assertiveness that feels right for us, and shares powerful information on the intersection between assertiveness, women’s empowerment, and the connection that we have with our voices and our inner authority. Kourtney was an inspiration to me. When I spoke with her, I felt her passion for uplifting other women, and she inspired me to continue amplifying my own strength as well as the strength of other women. I hope that she does the same for you! Want to get in touch? Email [email protected] & follow @theartofspeakingup on Instagram. FREE RESOURCES Free Ebook: https://www.assertivenessebook.com/ Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theartofspeakingup/ Art of Speaking Up email newsletter signup: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/newsletter/

Speaking in front of groups can be not only challenging – but for many of us, it can be extremely anxiety inducing. I know how frustrating and debilitating it can be to feel deeply uncomfortable at the thought of getting up in front of groups – I’ve been there! In this episode, I chat all about the fear of public speaking with Olivia Mitchell. Olivia is a speaking coach who believes that even the shyest and most afraid person can get more comfortable with this over time. If you’re anything like I was, you are probably skeptical that this is actually true. You probably think that this works for other people, but it could never work for you. Olivia is here to prove you wrong. Though she began her career as an attorney, she now focuses on exclusively on public speaking. Her specialty and one of her greatest gifts is helping women who are very afraid of public speaking get more comfortable in front of groups. Her approach is one that I hadn’t heard of before, and something I wish I would have had access to in my 20s. If you struggle with speaking in front of groups, you’ll appreciate the fact that Olivia does not push people to just force themselves to get up in front of groups and ‘get over it.’ Her approach is gentle yet calculated, and one that I believe is very powerful and effective. I am so excited to bring Olivia’s ideas and point of view to listeners! Here are links to things we mentioned in the show: Year of Yes, By Shonda Rhimes: https://amzn.to/2I5s5la You can learn more about Olivia’s work here: www.speakingaboutpresenting.com Want to get in touch? Email [email protected] & follow @theartofspeakingup on Instagram. FREE RESOURCES Free Ebook: https://www.assertivenessebook.com/ Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theartofspeakingup/ Art of Speaking Up email newsletter signup: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/newsletter/

In part 2 of my conversation with Kaitlin, she talks about the struggles of navigating her early career days as a young woman in the male dominated ad vertical. Kaitlin also answers a listener question about how to build an interpersonal connection with your male manager when you're the only woman on the team. I was blown away by Kaitlin's ability not only to share important learnings from her own experiences, but to draw important parallels to broader workplace issues such as inclusivity and diversity. This conversation was an important reminder to me that privilege is such an important ingredient in the women's empowerment conversation, and I am so thankful to Kaitlin for delving into these important topics and sharing her insights with us. FREE RESOURCES: Free Ebook: https://www.assertivenessebook.com/ Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theartofspeakingup/ Art of Speaking Up email newsletter signup: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/newsletter/