Lead Like a Woman

Emily Drake is the CEO of The Collective Academy, a leadership development firm working with global organizations. With decades of experience in counseling, coaching, and facilitation, she helps leaders and teams create cultures that foster community, purpose, and well-being. Emily produces and leads programs for professional services and nonprofit organizations, supporting entrepreneurial thinkers, creators, and leaders to envision the future. As a mental health clinician, she hosts the Who’s Missing podcast, which explores the stories and perspectives of people from diverse backgrounds. In this episode… Every high-reaching leader has a personal growth story. Whether originating from trauma or accomplishments, these anecdotes facilitate meaningful connections. Learn about the impact of community on personal and professional development from an esteemed mental health expert. According to therapist Emily Drake, the most effective way of discovering your identity is through connection and community. These facilitation groups should include a humanitarian leader who can make decisions and support and appreciate other members. However, leaders need support too, so Emily says to cultivate relationships with other high-achieving women and diverse individuals to advocate for you and help you attain your next endeavor. In today’s installment of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes her guest Emily Drake, the CEO of The Collective Academy, to discuss discovering yourself through high-achieving leadership and support. Emily shares the importance of honesty and self-acceptance, how she establishes personal development programs, and why she decided to interview her mother on her podcast.

Jane Frankel is the Managing Partner of The Art of Performance, which provides business education services to help organizations develop and grow through customer and partner relationships. As an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Temple University, she oversees project-based internships and corporate partnerships. Jane is a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum in Greater Philadelphia, an advisory board member for Temple University’s Center for Regional Economics, and a member of the Middle Market Steering Committee for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. In this episode… Women have a competitive advantage in today’s corporate environment, with businesses dependent on their autonomy and authoritative decision-making. However, to become leaders, women must discover and own their strengths. How can you harness your mindset to boost performance? With a versatile career in education and innovation, Jane Frankel has identified four components of mindset: goals, values, beliefs, and work styles. Once you’ve established these elements, you can align them by observing and recording your behaviors and reactions. Gaining full control of your mindset lets you assess opportunities effectively to propel your personal and professional life. Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as host Andrea Heuston sits down with Jane Frankel, The Art of Performance’s Managing Partner, to discuss the fundamentals of mindset. Jane breaks down the difference between mindset and mindfulness, her definition of women in leadership, and how to identify your five “whys.”

Brandi Marek is a Business Advisor at Ferguson Alliance, which helps family businesses increase their value. As a second-generation family business leader, she helps leaders and owners assess their companies by aligning organizational structure, strategies, and finances with family goals. Before joining Ferguson Alliance, Brandi held leadership and management roles at Magnolia Gardens Nursery, a family-owned business. In this episode… Leaders in family businesses often face an overwhelming sense of obligation to uphold familial expectations. How can you maintain relationships to build a thriving inter-generational company? In a family-owned company, many members struggle to differentiate between work and relatives. As a former second-generation daughter-in-law in a family business, Brandi Marek simultaneously faced judgment for her role in the company and a duty to preserve the family legacy, causing her to develop imposter syndrome. Having become an advisor, she encourages families to communicate with each other by identifying their needs and goals, maintaining honesty, and clarifying expectations. Join Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she hosts Brandi Marek, a Business Advisor at Ferguson Alliance, who talks about reconciling expectations and commitments in family businesses. Brandi shares her transition from an executive assistant to the manager of a family business, how her role as a daughter-in-law impacted her business relationships, and her desire to become a consultant.

Claire Chandler is the Founder, President, and CEO of Talent Boost, which helps businesses assess and accelerate growth. With 30 years of experience in people, leadership, human resources, and business ownership, she helps organizations achieve strategic alignment and culture integration. As a strategic partner and leadership advisor, Claire helps purpose-driven CHROs (chief human resources officers) of large organizations navigate growth through mergers and acquisitions. She is also a Keynote Speaker at the Call for Culture Speaker’s Network. In this episode… Women in management positions often conform to corporate culture, emulating the leadership styles of male CEOs and suppressing visibility to avoid conflict and confrontation. How can you own your authority and inspire others to follow you? While serving as the vice president of HR at a leading corporation, Claire Chandler’s boss requested that she adjust her walk to avoid seeming overly confident. After burning out from an unfulfilling career, Claire uncovered and pursued her passions. Aspiring women leaders must discover and display their hidden strengths and stay true to their values and beliefs. This inspires uniqueness, authenticity, and confidence. On today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Claire Chandler, the Founder, President, and CEO of Talent Boost, who shares her journey of discovering her leadership style. Claire explains the value of fulfilling work, why she left the corporate space to become an entrepreneur, and why women must own their walks.

Michelle LaBrosse, PMP, CCPM, RYT, is the Founder and Head PMP Exam Prep Coach at Cheetah Learning, which offers accelerated exam preparation for the PMP (project management professional) test. In 2008, the Project Management Institute (PMI) recognized Cheetah as the Professional Development Provider of the Year. The institution also selected Michelle as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Project Management in the World. She is also the author of Cheetah Negotiations, Cheetah Project Management, and Cheetah Know How, and her articles have appeared in over 1,000 publications globally. In this episode… Women are often perceived as control freaks, dictating others to complete tasks under specific terms. Rather, these determined individuals become frustrated when attempting to oversee a project through completion. Learn how to gauge your capabilities and capacity from an entrepreneur who has mastered accelerated learning. As a Certified PMP (project management professional) and coach, Michelle LaBrosse has developed holistic and integrated courses instructing participants on project management and advanced goal completion. She emphasizes the value of training your brain to absorb knowledge through healthy eating, neuro-linguistic programming, and exercise. Whether undertaking a new business venture or completing a certification, assess your capabilities to develop practical objectives and maintain a high level of focus. On the latest episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Michelle LaBrosse, the Founder of Cheetah Learning, to discuss accelerated project completion. Michelle shares an overview of a PMP, how she persevered during her first entrepreneurial venture, and information about her four-day accelerated learning course.

Barbara Jo Jenkins is the author of So Long as It’s Wild, which details her three-year, 3,000-mile walk across America. She also co-authored the international bestseller, The Walk West, which was chosen as one of the most influential books in American culture and became part of the permanent White House Library. As a keynote speaker at colleges, conferences, and national conventions, Barbara has appeared in various magazines, including Reader’s Digest, and on national TV shows like Good Morning America. She has served as commissioner for two Tennessee Governors, Board Chair for Benton Hall Academy, and President of the Tennessee Women’s Forum. In this episode… Women often face fear, stigma, and backlash from society, discouraging them from reaching their potential and living fulfilling lives. One courageous nomad recounts her journey of self-discovery and confidence, inspiring freedom of expression among women from all walks of life. Despite judgment from family and friends, self-doubt, and fear, Barbara Jenkins walked 3,000 miles across America. Having hiked the Cascades at two months pregnant during the coldest winter and survived an outlaw attack in Colorado, she discovered her strengths and weaknesses. If you want to recognize and fulfill your destiny, Barabara recommends acknowledging the fear and persisting. However, it’s crucial to pace yourself in your endeavors to conserve mental, physical, and emotional energy. Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston interviews renowned author Barbara Jenkins about her walk across the US. Barbara describes how her childhood in the Ozarks influenced her adventure, her book’s endorsement by Dolly Parton, and how to persevere amid adversity.

Renata Merino is a motivational speaker, investor, founder, and women’s advocate. As a Latina serial entrepreneur, she launched three startup businesses that focused on doubling bottom lines, investing in others, and building for the future. With 25 years of experience as an operator and investment banker, Renata is an investor and leader in the venture capitalist community. In this episode… As of the 2020s, 1,800 startups have been launched daily. Most of the founders are Latin women who have developed creative methods of supporting their families while raising their children. Yet women-owned startups are historically underfunded, so how can you support these businesses? As millennials and Gen Zs become parents, they have equalized the power structures between men and women by working and completing household tasks jointly. As a venture capitalist investing in female founders, Renata Merino says this gender role shift should apply to the corporate world, allowing women to establish credibility in a male-dominated space. By creating educational and career opportunities for women through adequate funding, you can break deeply embedded societal patterns. In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, serial entrepreneur and investor Renata Merino joins Andrea Heuston to discuss how women can pave their way through male-dominated systems. Renata talks about growing up in an entrepreneurial household, how she became an investor in women-owned startups, and the rise of women launching businesses during motherhood.

Sarah Walton is the Founder of Sarah Walton Coaching, where she helps women build thriving businesses through sales and abundance strategies. As a business coach, keynote speaker, and sales expert, she has been featured on The Today Show and speaks at national conferences. Sarah spent her 15-year corporate career in New York City, where she managed a P&L worth hundreds of millions of dollars and mentored dozens of women. In this episode… Women are notorious for assuming too many responsibilities, leading to rigid decision-making. This creates the belief that women must choose between making money or pursuing their passions. How can you abolish this ideology and profit from meaningful work? Executive coach and motivational speaker Sarah Walton was raised in poverty and believed she couldn’t support her family and attain happiness simultaneously. After shifting her mindset, Sarah realized she could fill a gap in the market with innovative business ideas. When launching a company to fulfill your passion, you must achieve self-acceptance and maintain honesty to discover and monetize your strengths. Join Andrea Heuston in today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she sits down with Sarah Walton, the Founder of Sarah Walton Coaching, to discuss attaining self-acceptance to profit from your passion. Sarah shares advice for maximizing your impact, her desire to become a dancer, and her multi-passionate personality.

Aimee Schuster is the CEO of Bandwidth Strategy, which offers fractional C-suite and consulting solutions to growing B2B organizations. As a skilled COO and CMO, she has over 20 years of experience coaching marketing departments on lead generation and brand awareness. Aimee is also the Founder and Co-chair of Women Influence Chicago, an organization cultivating women leaders in enterprise, startup, and nonprofit technology companies. In this episode… As remote and hybrid work become mainstream, many Gen Z women lack the experience of working in an office. This hinders opportunities to form working relationships with colleagues. If you work remotely, how can you build your social capital? For fractional integrator Aimee Schuster, working in an office has allowed her to network with peers to foster meaningful relationships and advance her career. If you’re looking to shift career paths for flexibility, consider fractional integration, which allows you to execute projects for an organization on a case-by-case basis. However, this position requires a robust support network and outreach efforts to sustain social capital. Aimee advises joining networking and industry groups and following up with potential connections by providing value. In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, join Andrea Heuston as she welcomes Aimee Schuster, the CEO of Bandwidth Strategy, who talks about the benefits of fractional integration and the impacts of remote work on young women. Aimee explains when to source fractional versus full-time talent, how to build social capital, and her early entrepreneurial successes.

Monica Yates is the CEO of Monica Yates Health, where she helps women tap into their core feminine desires and live their dream lives. As a trauma healer and feminine-masculine embodiment coach, she utilizes embodiment, subconscious reprogramming, somatic work, and other modalities to help women break their trauma cycles. Monica is also the host of the Feminine As F*ck Podcast and has been featured in Vogue, Glamour, and other fashion magazines. In this episode… Through long-standing beliefs and embedded traumas, women are programmed to either fear masculinity or reject femininity in favor of it. In a business environment, this manifests as a lack of structure, leading to burnout. How can you reconcile these identities to tap into your full potential? After battling health issues and negative experiences with men, Monica Yates began subconsciously behaving like a man to thrive in the corporate world. Yet people need feminine energy to experience happiness, love, and pleasure and masculine energy to feel safe and strong. So Monica discovered that by integrating both masculine and feminine identities, you can cultivate harmony in your work. Monica also advises evaluating your needs and listening to your body. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston sits down with Monica Yates, the CEO of Monica Yates Health, to delve into the connection between masculinity and femininity. Monica also discusses the importance of finding fulfillment in your job and allocating your energy, her upcoming book on the feminist movement, and how women can assess their needs.

Erin Pheil is the Founder of The MindFix Group, a coaching company delivering programs to help entrepreneurs eliminate the mental roadblocks hindering them in their journeys. As an entrepreneur, she founded and managed an award-winning and nationally ranked web agency, where she worked with clients, including world-renowned philosophers and Fortune 500 companies. Erin’s work has been featured in books, magazines, podcasts, and webinars. She also delivers keynote speeches, workshops, retreats, and presentations on human behavior and rapid transformation. In this episode… Countless women battle anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and imposter syndrome. They manage their symptoms through talk therapy, visiting doctors, and consuming drugs and alcohol, but these methods don’t address the source of the issues. How can you dislodge toxic thoughts and transform your mindset? After struggling with chronic pain and deep-seated anxiety and depression, Erin Pheil discovered a way to thwart negative thoughts before they start. She identifies the three origins of mental stress as harmful beliefs, unprocessed memories from the past, and stagnant identities. Eliminating negativity involves correlating the pattern to its source and extracting it to shift your mindset. On this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston hosts Erin Pheil, the Founder of The MindFix Group, who shares her transformational journey to eradicating toxic thoughts. Erin talks about the concept of rapid transformation, the programs she offers, and how to overcome stagnation.

Bethany Inez is a Life Coach at Splendor, where she helps people reconnect with their authentic selves and unlock their true potential. As an intuitive guide and healthy living expert, she encourages people to release fear and connect to love. Having spent 20 years owning hair salons and serving as a stylist, Bethany became immersed in the human experience and dedicated herself to life coaching. In this episode… Many women sell themselves short and don’t always recognize their full potential. If you’re struggling to propel your personal or professional life forward, tune in to hear insights on self-transformation. As a hairstylist turned transformative life coach, Bethany Inez discerns two distinct parts within the mind: your ego and your true self. The ego overpowers your authentic self, so reconciling these components requires developing positive affirmation habits that merge the conscious with the unconscious mind. With countless women trapped in an endless cycle of subconscious negativity, Bethany says to relinquish the fear associated with transformation to elevate yourself to a higher position. Join Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she interviews Bethany Inez, a Life Coach at Splendor, about acknowledging your full power. Bethany shares the four steps of manifestation, the impact of mindset on success, and how to cultivate a positive mindset.

Jane Hanson is the Founder and CEO of HHH Productions, LLC, a consultancy helping clients elevate their speaking engagements. As an Emmy award-winning television journalist and media coach, she has spent over 30 years teaching people to enhance their communication skills. Jane has hosted programs on cable channels and private satellite broadcasts and has participated in events, including the New York Emmys, Toys for Tots, and Race for the Cure. She has been an anchor and correspondent for NBC New York Live. In this episode… Research shows that 78.8% of people fear public speaking more than death. This is especially true for women who view themselves as 30% less capable than their peers. How can you gain the confidence to elevate your speaking and communication skills? When breaking into the media industry for the first time, women had to be assertive and aggressive to compete with their male counterparts. But renowned media speaker Jane Hanson says that women can be authoritative and compassionate simultaneously. Approximately 80% of communication is nonverbal, and 38% relies on voice and tone. The key to confident communication is to hone your messaging by refining your body language, tone, and voice. Join Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she chats with Jane Hanson, the Founder and CEO of HHH Productions, LLC, about becoming a confident female speaker and leader. Jane describes the nuances of media communications, evolving trends in public speaking, and how she empowers women in media.

Amy Prosenjak is the President and CEO of A to Z Wineworks, which was acquired by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, where she serves as President of the company’s Oregon business unit. Under her leadership, A to Z Wineworks transitioned from an 80,000-case winery to one of Oregon’s largest wineries with the production of 400,000 cases. Amy is a member and the past chair of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Oregon chapter and works with numerous other organizations focused on education, outreach, and cultural diversity. In this episode… Traditionally, women only apply for jobs when they meet at least 85% of the qualifications. How can you gain the confidence to take a leap and say “yes” to every opportunity? After job searching on winejobs.com, Amy accepted a position at a winery, sold her sizable house, and moved across the country into a small condo. Her determination allowed her to work with a team of women leaders to build and franchise a renowned wine brand. Despite the accomplishments arising from Amy’s enthusiasm, female leadership involves various expectations and shifting roles, often causing imposter syndrome. Communal support and reinforcement are key to elevating women’s confidence and encouraging them to advance to the next level. On today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Amy Prosenjak, the President of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, to talk about the value of a “yes and” attitude. Amy explains her leadership style, her experience with imposter syndrome, and how she facilitates female leadership in her role.

Beth Knox is the President and CEO of Seattle Sports Commission, which attracts and hosts premier sports events in the Greater Seattle Region. With 35 years of event production experience, she has organized large-scale, special events as a producer and consultant in the sports and live entertainment industries. Beth has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Puget Sound Business Journal Woman of Influence. Before Seattle Sports Commission, she held leadership roles in iconic event productions like the Special Olympics 2018 national competition. In this episode… Women face tremendous retaliation when breaking into male-dominated industries. This can lead to imposter syndrome and feelings of inadequacy. How can you break the glass ceiling and challenge the status quo? As a trailblazing leader in sports and live entertainment, Beth Knox has broken gender barriers and cultivated strong community connections. Women often hold themselves to high standards and believe that others are more equipped for a particular role. Instead of reinforcing these negative ideas, Beth recommends trusting your skills and abilities to channel your energy into productive endeavors. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Beth Knox, the CEO of the Seattle Sports Commission, to talk about making history in male-dominated careers. Beth emphasizes embracing challenging opportunities, staying true to yourself, and creating a lasting legacy.

Kara McKeage is the CEO of Pepper’s Personal Assistants, which provides household outsourcing services to help career-driven mothers with errands. After working as an administrative assistant and sales support professional for 20 years while balancing motherhood, Kara founded Pepper’s Personal Assistants to allow busy mothers to focus on their careers. She is also a board member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). In this episode… Women are expected to embody two roles: motherhood and working professional. This duality places pressure on them to excel in both areas simultaneously, leading to guilt, shame, and feelings of failure. How can you abolish the stigma of working mothers? Entrepreneur and career mother Kara McKeage emphasizes the value of outsourcing personal home assistants. These attendants perform household tasks like errands and chores to minimize workload and pressure. Through relationship-building and support, women learn that not every task has to be accomplished concurrently. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Kara McKeage, the CEO and Founder of Pepper’s Personal Assistants, joins Andrea Heuston for a conversation about balancing motherhood and work. Kara shares her experiences during the start of her business, how she hired the right people, and the impact her business has on working mothers.

Nicholle Overkamp, MBA, ChFC, CDFA is the CEO and Founder of Wilcox Financial Group — a firm offering financial planning for women — and PowHERhouse Money Coaching, an education and coaching company empowering women to live the lives they deserve. As a financial planner and retirement planning specialist, she holds FINRA series seven and 66 registrations in addition to life and health insurance licenses. Nicholle is a board member of Girl Scouts of Western New York, the co-author of Money Bitch!, and the 2013 Woman of the Year recipient for the American Business Woman’s Association of WNY. In this episode… When faced with adversity, women often turn to men for financial support. This arises from a lack of education and confidence surrounding asset management. How can you gain clarity and empowerment to manage your affairs independently? After a boating accident that left her husband in a coma, certified financial analyst Nicholle Overkamp had to manage separate business finances single-handedly. She became inspired to coach women entrepreneurs on complex business and personal financial issues. Nicholle maintains that financial planning and advising should include community support systems and address habits, behaviors, and emotions about money. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Nicholle Overkamp, the Founder and CEO of Wilcox Financial Group and PowHERhouse Money Coaching, to discuss financial education for women entrepreneurs. Nicholle talks about the boating accident that altered her business’ trajectory and the catalyst for her coaching businesses and book.

Vicky Lanzone is the Program Manager at Street Life Ministries, where she provides clothing and food for disadvantaged individuals. She is also the author of the memoir Life is Crazy and We’re All Going to Die. Jamie Blaine is the author of Life is Crazy, Midnight Jesus, and Mercy Never Sleeps. As a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times bestselling author, his work as a music journalist has been featured in major publications, including The Tennessean and the Washington Post. In this episode… When faced with adversity and despair, where do you turn for solace? Do you surrender and abandon your ideals, or do you upend your life for the better? After losing her job and husband to an affair and confronting insensitive parents, Vicky Lanzone prepared an elaborate escape plan. But an encounter with Jamie Blaine, a psychiatric crisis specialist, motivated her to transform her life drastically. With his help, Vicky wrote an introspective, authentic memoir about finding hope in desperation. She recognized that transparency and truthfulness are pivotal in self-discovery and optimism. In this special episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes authors Vicky Lanzone and Jamie Blaine to discuss the purpose of their book Life is Crazy and We’re All Going to Die. Together, they share the role of fear and despair in the book’s narrative, epiphanies about life and hope, and inspirational quotes from the book.

Matt Iseri is the Founder, President, and CEO of TokuSaku Consulting, a management and technology consulting company driving best-in-class solutions through innovative approaches. He is also the Co-founder of TokuSaku (TS) Solutions, which offers technology solutions for business impact. Having spent over 20 years in the process and project management spaces, Matt has experience in multiple disciplines and industries, including technology, financial services, and healthcare. He was awarded the 40 Under Forty award by the Puget Sound Business Journal and serves on several boards. In this episode… Women are underrepresented in every industry across the globe. How can you uplift female leaders to thrive in their roles and achieve their full potential? To fulfill diversity quotas, women are often hired intentionally for leadership positions. Instead, company executives should identify a potential candidate’s promising qualities and provide them with personal and professional development opportunities. As the father of three young girls and a disciplined Judo competitor, Matt Iseri affirms the sport’s value in building character and cultivating a supportive environment. He has noticed that more women gravitate to Judo to develop mental toughness. Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston invites Matt Iseri, the Founder, President, and CEO of TokuSaku Consulting and the Co-founder of TS Solutions. Together, they discuss the importance of a supportive environment for women. Matt also explains how Judo cultivates self-discipline, his straightforward approach to supporting women in business, and the definition of TokuSaku.

Anna Liotta is the CEO of Resultance, Inc., which helps organizations develop strategies for optimal employee engagement across generations. As a hall of fame keynote speaker and consultant, she helps her clients and audiences acquire, engage, and retain clients, talent, and customers. With over 20 years of experience in intergenerational communication and leadership, Anna is the author of Unlocking Generational CODES®, which details extensive research in generational studies. In this episode… Leadership styles are determined substantially by generational differences which shape hiring and communication approaches. This can create conflict between leaders and their teams, decreasing retention rates. Inclusive leadership requires aligning management forms with each generation’s ethos. How can you identify and fulfill generational preferences? According to intergenerational scholar Anna Liotta, each generation is impacted by its cultural events, stigmas, and morals, creating standards that govern actions. For instance, baby boomers lack a defined work-life balance and remain loyal to one company, whereas Generation X focuses on honing transferable skills. Conversely, Millennials showcase their talents by building experiences, and Generation Z prides themselves on social and cultural influence. As a leader, you must uplevel each generational employee’s skills by embracing their unique codes. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Anna Liotta, the CEO of Resultance, Inc., joins Andrea Heuston for a conversation about intergenerational engagement. Anna shares insights on the pandemic’s impact on younger generations, her entry into generational research, and how generational codes influence leadership styles.