VEST Her Podcast

AI is everywhere right now, and the loudest message sounds like a threat, move fast, adopt everything, or get left behind. We’re not buying that. We sit down with Julie Guirado, Executive Director of the Center for Humane Technology, to ask the question underneath the hype, is AI truly inevitable? Or is that a story shaped by incentives and profit? We dig into what’s driving the AI race to be first and why that speed can hide the “mid-range harms” already showing up in daily life, from delegating our thinking to machines to shifting how we relate to other people. Julie also breaks down what the data and incentives suggest about job displacement, wages, and economic mobility, plus why “human value” like judgment, empathy, and relationship-building may become more valuable as automation spreads. Because this is a women-centered conversation, we get specific about where women are hit hardest, bias in AI outputs, underrepresentation in the rooms where funding and regulation happen, and the exhausting pressure to constantly play catch up. We talk about concrete guardrails that can make responsible AI real, including product liability, design standards, whistleblower protections, and deepfake and likeness rights, along with global momentum like the EU AI Act and the need for clear red lines. You’ll also leave with practical ways to protect your creativity and agency. Click here for our guest full bio and show notes. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

Who’s actually driving your decisions at work? Your calm inner leader, or a stressed-out protector trying to keep you safe? In this episode we sit down with Reverend Dr Celeste Laback, executive coach, chaplain, leadership consultant, and certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) practitioner, to map the inner voices that shape how we lead, negotiate, and set boundaries. Celeste also shares her lived experience as neurodivergent and autistic, a breast cancer survivor, and a longtime leader working at the intersection of identity, conflict, and organizational dynamics. We get practical about “parts” like the achiever, perfectionist, people pleaser, procrastinator, and inner critic, and why these patterns are not character flaws. Using IFS therapy concepts in plain language, we talk about unblending, the small shift from “I’m a perfectionist” to “a part of me wants this perfect,” and how that creates real space to choose your next move. You’ll hear how to tell when ambition aligns with your values versus when productivity becomes the measure of your worth, plus how people pleasing shows up in salary negotiations, promotions, and hard conversations. Celeste also breaks down why perfectionism and procrastination often lock into a tug-of-war, how to respond to imposter syndrome without arguing with yourself, and what self-led leadership looks like when you’re triggered by family dynamics or workplace power. For our guest full bio, resources and show notes click here . Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

Change can feel like the ground shifting beneath your feet, even when it's a promotion, a new opportunity, or a long-awaited next step. New leadership responsibilities, organizational change, caregiving, entrepreneurship, or a job market transformed by AI can all trigger the same instinct: work harder, push through, and put yourself last. In this episode, we sit down with Ashwini Balasubramanian, Vice President of Research & Development for 3M's Transportation and Energy business and author of the forthcoming book Map Your Ascent : Embracing Change as Your Leadership Superpower . Moderated by VEST member Srijita Ghosh, the conversation explores how to transform uncertainty from something to fear into one of your greatest leadership advantages. Ashwini explains why change feels so difficult, even for high performers, unpacking the fear of losing control, competence, and confidence. She shares practical frameworks for shifting your mindset from focusing on what you might lose to asking who you can become. Together, they explore her Map Your Ascent framework, including how your beliefs shape your leadership, why your perspective evolves through change, and how to cultivate a presence that inspires confidence even in uncertain moments. The conversation also tackles one of the biggest challenges facing ambitious women today: distinguishing between perseverance and self-sacrifice. Ashwini shares the weekly reflection practice she uses to stay grounded, the "curiosity versus coasting" test that signals when it's time for a change, and practical strategies for navigating career transitions with intention. She also offers actionable advice on building sponsors, identifying transferable skills, creating an opportunity filter for major career decisions, and advocating for yourself in an increasingly uncertain world. Whether you're navigating a career transition, leading through organizational change, considering your next big move, or simply trying to thrive through a demanding season without defaulting to depletion, this episode will leave you with practical tools and a renewed perspective on how change can become your greatest catalyst for growth. For guests full bios and show notes click here . Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

What is the cost of staying quiet, playing it safe, or waiting until we're "ready"? In this powerful conversation, Erika Lucas sits down with former Oklahoma House Democratic Leader and gubernatorial candidate Cyndi Munson to explore the personal and professional consequences of holding ourselves back and what becomes possible when we choose courage instead. Together, along with VEST Members, they discuss the challenges women face when navigating leadership, ambition, and visibility in systems that weren't always designed for them. From overcoming self-doubt and societal expectations to finding your voice in rooms where you may be the only woman or the only person who looks like you, this conversation offers an honest look at the realities of leadership and growth. Cyndi shares her journey from being told that her background, identity, and circumstances made her an unlikely candidate for public office to becoming the first Asian American woman elected to the Oklahoma Legislature and now a candidate for governor. Along the way, she reflects on the importance of resilience, authenticity, mentorship, and refusing to let other people define what's possible. The conversation also explores a core VEST Her belief: that economic mobility isn't just about personal development. It's also about understanding and improving the systems that shape opportunity, representation, and access for women and families. In This Episode: The hidden costs of staying small and playing it safe Why women are often taught to be cautious and how to move forward anyway The difference between humility and self-limitation How to distinguish healthy caution from fear disguised as practicality Finding your voice in male-dominated environments Navigating ambition without apology The role of policy, politics, and systems change in economic mobility Lessons in leadership, resilience, and courage from Cyndi Munson's journey If you've ever questioned whether you're ready for the next opportunity, struggled to speak up, or wondered what might be possible if you stopped holding yourself back, this episode is for you. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

There’s a quiet tension a lot of women are carrying right now. The pressure to keep up. Stay relevant. Adapt faster. Do more. Become more. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, many are starting to ask a different question: What if success isn’t supposed to feel this exhausting? In this episode, we unpack the invisible scripts so many women inherit around ambition, achievement, productivity, identity, and how those definitions can quietly shape the lives we build without us ever consciously choosing them. We explore: The pressure to constantly reinvent yourself Why so many high-achieving women feel stuck on autopilot The difference between survival and alignment How ambition can become fear-driven instead of fulfilling What it means to imagine beyond the role you currently occupy This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt: Burned out from constantly proving themselves Trapped inside a version of success that no longer fits Curious about what expansion could look like beyond titles and external validation Ready to rethink what opportunity actually means in this season of life We also discuss why community matters so deeply when you’re trying to envision new possibilities for your life, career, leadership, or future. Because sometimes the first step toward expansion is simply realizing there are more options available to you than you previously allowed yourself to imagine. If you’ve been questioning your next chapter, reevaluating what success means to you, or feeling the tension between achievement and alignment, check out this episode. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

There are moments that stay with you, not because they were obvious, but because something about them didn’t sit right. In this episode of the VEST Her Podcast, we explore those moments, the ones where you’ve given your time, energy, or ideas and walked away feeling like something was off, even if you couldn’t fully explain why. In this conversation, we unpack: What extractive practices are and why they’re not always easy to recognize How they often show up disguised as opportunity, visibility, or collaboration Why so many of us question ourselves before fully understanding what’s happening We explore how extractive dynamics don’t always look the way you’d expect. In many cases, something is being offered (access, inclusion, praise) which is exactly what makes it confusing. These gray areas can make it harder to trust your instincts in the moment. We also expand beyond the workplace, because these patterns don’t exist in just one area. They show up across: Work and career growth Community spaces Personal relationships Broader systems and expectations This episode is a guided conversation designed to help you recognize patterns you may not have had language for before and begin thinking differently about what you carry. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

Speed and visibility are often rewarded in the workplace, but they can also lead to costly mistakes, including leaving money on the table. In this episode, we sit down with Jacqueline Twillie , author, leadership strategist, and founder of Bend AI, for a candid conversation on negotiation, decision-making, and high-stakes communication, especially for women who have been socialized to be “polite” instead of persistent. Moderated by VEST member Alison Anthony , President and CEO of Tulsa Area United Way, this discussion challenges conventional thinking and offers a more strategic approach to advocating for your value. Together, they unpack the mindset traps that hold women back from asking for more and the real cost of not doing so. You’ll walk away with practical frameworks you can begin using immediately, whether in your career, business, or everyday conversations. In this episode, we explore: Why preparation, not confidence, is the true driver of better decisions How to slow down fast-moving rooms and “set the temperature” Three common negotiation pitfalls: self-negotiation, worthiness spirals, and failing to follow up The FLOW framework for navigating difficult conversations The LATTE framework for preparing, communicating, and evaluating negotiations A thoughtful, practical conversation on how small shifts in how you prepare and communicate can lead to meaningful financial and career outcomes. Click here for Show Notes and Guests Bios Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

What if the fastest way to grow isn’t moving at all? In this episode, we sit down with Tulsa International Airport CEO, Alexis Higgins, to unpack how a 26‑year journey in one city became a masterclass in influence, trust, and long‑term impact. From a support role to CEO, Alexis shows why deep roots can beat constant motion when you turn visibility, preparation, and relationships into compound career returns. Alexis pulls back the curtain on airport life as a “city within a city." She breaks down how airlines choose new routes, why landing new airline routes take patience and precision, and more. Inside the organization, we explore culture by design, setting goals where none existed, normalizing debate, and anchoring tough decisions on what’s best for the airport. Alexis shares practical leadership tools, “to be clear is to be kind,” practicing hard conversations, and creating transparent development paths so people are ready for opportunities before they officially exist. We also get candid about the job market, layoffs, and longer searches, offering concrete steps for visibility, high‑value networking, and asking for precise help. We talk women in aviation, the power of hometown leadership, and more. Alexis’s takeaways are both grounded and energizing, find work that gives you joy, volunteer to reset your mind, and keep your attention on what you can control when the world feels heavy. If you’re hungry for real talk on career strategy, route development, airport operations, mentorship, and culture change, this conversation delivers clear, actionable insight. Click here for our guest full bio and show notes. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

At VEST, we talk a lot about careers, money, and women’s economic mobility. But here’s the truth: you can’t fully talk about women building power without talking about the systems that taught us what we’re allowed to want—and what we should quietly accept. For many of us, that system was religion. In this episode of the VEST Podcast, Erika sits down with Reverend Lori Walke for an honest, grounded conversation about what happens when faith becomes complicated, especially for women who grew up inside religious institutions that preached love, but practiced control. What we talk about in this episode How women learn “their place” and how to unlearn it Separating the message from the messengers Deconstruction without losing yourself Religious trauma is real and you have permission to leave When religion becomes a political weapon How women stay engaged without burning out Why this matters for women’s careers and economic mobility Deconstructing harmful spiritual narratives isn’t a side quest. It’s part of building a life where women can earn, lead, rest, belong, and thrive, without shrinking. For our guest full bio and show notes (including book recommendations) click here . At VEST, we’re not afraid to have these conversations because women are whole people. Not just workers. Not just caregivers. Not just resilience machines. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

As we begin a new year, many of us are reflecting on what’s working, what needs to shift, and what we truly want, not just in our careers or personal lives, but financially as well. But let’s be honest, for many women, wealth is the last thing we feel comfortable talking about. In this episode of the VEST Her Podcast , we explore how to reset your relationship with money, redefine what wealth means on your own terms, and build a system that actually supports the life you want. Because wealth isn’t just a number, it’s a reflection of access, freedom, and the ability to move through the world with confidence and choice. This Episode Is for You If You’ve been taught that talking about money is impolite or selfish You’ve hit career milestones, but still feel unclear about your financial picture You want to set wealth goals this year, but don’t know where to start You’re ready to shift from short-term survival to long-term vision You want to build wealth in a way that aligns with your values, not someone else’s definition of success What You’ll Learn Why wealth is about more than salary, savings, or status How culture, family, and systems shape our beliefs about money A 5-step Wealth Inventory to help you get clear on your starting point How to set one bold financial goal and the habit that supports it Why doing this work in community changes everything Chapters 1:00 Why Women Need A Different Money Talk 2:12 The Wealth Inventory Framework 4:06 Turn Goals Into Systems 5:27 Why Money Feels Complicated 7:13 History, Exclusion, And The Wealth Gap 8:40 Three Actions And The Power Of Community Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

What if you didn’t have to choose between being respected and being liked? In this episode of the VEST Her Podcast , we’re joined by Alison Fragale, organizational psychologist, UNC professor, and author of Likeable Badass, to break down the real difference between power and status, and how women can build both without burning out or selling out. Moderated by VEST Member Autumn Knutson, CEO of Styled Wealth, the conversation goes deep into the practical side of leadership for women: how to be warm and in charge, how to negotiate effectively, and how to turn discomfort into growth. “Power is control over valued resources. Status is the regard others choose to give you. If you don’t know the difference, you might be playing the wrong game.” — Alison Fragale, Organizational Psychologist & Author of Likeable Badass For guests full bios and show notes and key takeaways click here . Note: In this episode, we mispronounced Knutson, Autumn's last name. The correct pronunciation includes the “K”, it’s K-nutson, not Nutson . We regret the error and appreciate your understanding. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

As the year wraps up, so do the “Top Under 30, 40, 50” lists, power rankings, and glossy features that suggest success is public, polished, and linear. In this episode, we take a clear-eyed look at why these lists can be inspiring but also alienating, and why so many brilliant, hardworking women still feel like they’re falling behind. Then, we shift the focus to a more grounded, sustainable way to measure progress, one that doesn’t rely on headlines, algorithms, or someone else’s definition of success. We walk through a set of practical, reflective questions to help you define what success really means to you , and explore how chasing visibility without alignment can lead to burnout, distraction, and disconnection from your purpose. Click here for Show Notes and a simple year-end reflection exercise. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

We’re often told to “build our network” or “think about the impact we want to have” but rarely does anyone show us how. It’s not just about adding connections or chasing influence. What we really need is a Web of Support and a clearer sense of the legacy we're already leaving behind, often without realizing it. In this episode, we slow things down to explore two powerful reflection tools: the VEST Web of Support that helps make hard things doable, and the VEST Legacy Map that surfaces your quiet but meaningful influence. First, we walk you through mapping the people around you, mentors, peers, partners, and communities. Who asks better questions? Who shows up when it’s hard? Who helps carry the load? This simple but revealing scan helps you recognize gaps, appreciate the support you already have, and see where you're playing that role in someone else’s life too. Then, we reframe legacy, not as something far off or grand, but as the everyday ways you shift culture, model values, and strengthen systems. From making space for underrepresented voices to normalizing boundaries and improving how work flows, these quiet contributions shape trust and sustainability, even if they never make it onto a resume. By the end of the episode, you’ll have three simple actions to take. Click here for our host bio and show notes. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

What if the key to moving from stuck to unstoppable isn’t finding your one big purpose but choosing to live with purpose, every day? In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action and author of New York Bestseller Fired Up, to explore a practical framework for aligning what you value, what you're good at, and what truly matters to you. She calls it the fire formula, a tool for any stage of life, from early career to midlife reinvention. We unpack three common myths that hold women back: That you need a single, all-consuming calling That happiness is the goal That constant busyness means you're succeeding Shannon also shares her playbook for handling blowback when you start showing up differently, how to decide whose feedback matters, what to hold onto, and how to keep going when the discomfort sets in. You’ll hear actionable strategies for building aligned community, sustaining momentum, and reclaiming your time and voice. We also get into: How to navigate professional risks and resistance How to build meaningful relationships in midlife How to push back against the systems and narratives shaping our democracy This is a grounded, honest conversation about courage, clarity, and living on your own terms. If you’re ready to stop waiting for permission, this episode offers the tools and the push to start. Click here for more Show Notes and Guest Bio. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

Democracy thrives when citizens participate, yet America faces a troubling reality: even in presidential elections, only 65% of eligible voters cast ballots, with participation plummeting in local and primary elections. This democratic deficit has serious consequences, especially for women and historically marginalized communities who continue to face systemic barriers to political participation. At the heart of this problem lies a structural issue: closed primary systems that restrict voting to registered party members. These closed primaries shrink the voter pool, fuel polarization, and produce candidates who cater to partisan extremes rather than representing the broader population. The result? Elected officials less willing to compromise and increasingly dysfunctional governance. In this compelling conversation, Margaret Kobos, founder of Oklahoma United, and political consultant Sarah Blaney explore how open primaries could transform our democratic landscape. They make a powerful case for State Question 836, which would implement an open primary system in Oklahoma where all candidates appear on a single ballot accessible to every voter. The top two finishers would advance to the general election, ensuring meaningful choice in November. The statistics are striking: Oklahoma has ranked last in voter turnout nationally, with only 51% of voters registered as Republican despite complete Republican control of state government. With 80-90% of election decisions effectively made during primary elections, the current system silences independent voters and moderates from both parties. This directly correlates with Oklahoma's poor rankings in education, women's quality of life, and other critical metrics. What makes this reform particularly powerful is its simplicity and familiarity, it mirrors the system already used successfully in Oklahoma's municipal elections. By expanding this model to all elections, voters would gain real choice while elected officials would become accountable to the entire electorate, not just partisan extremes. Ready to support democratic reform? Learn more about open primaries and how you can get involved in this movement to revitalize American democracy through meaningful electoral reform. The future of our representative government depends on ensuring every voice can truly be heard. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

When we talk about startup runway, we obsess over finances, how many months until the money runs out. But what about the founder's emotional runway? That invisible reservoir of energy, resilience, and motivation that keeps a company alive even when the path forward seems impossible? In this deeply personal and practical conversation, Claudia Naim Burt, Co-founder and COO of Keep Company, shares how she discovered the concept of emotional runway through her own struggle to sustain herself while building a venture-backed startup. As one of only 250 Latinas to raise over $1 million in venture capital, Claudia brings a unique perspective to the challenges of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and maintaining wellbeing when everything feels urgent. The emotional runway framework offers a strategic way to think about personal sustainability. Just as financial runway helps you make business decisions, emotional runway helps you make intentional choices about your time and energy before hitting burnout. Claudia shares her process of conducting an "energy audit" to identify activities that drain versus replenish her, and how making seemingly indulgent choices (like taking hour-long walks) became non-negotiable investments in herself as a key business asset. Throughout our conversation, we explore powerful frameworks for extending your emotional runway: Reframing choices through values rather than guilt Recognizing the spectrum of burnout rather than viewing it as binary Making needs explicit rather than implicit Finding connection with peers as the ultimate antidote to isolation. We also dive into how these principles apply differently across various seasons of business and life, and the importance of regularly renegotiating your contract with yourself about what matters most. Ready to extend your emotional runway? Listen now and discover practical strategies to protect your wellbeing while leading through challenging times. Your business and the people who depend on you will thank you for it. Whether you’re running a business or building a career in corporate America, if you’re ready to extend your emotional runway, 🎧 Listen now. Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

How many times have you ended the day exhausted, only to wonder what you actually accomplished? That feeling of spinning your wheels without moving forward is a signal that your workflow isn’t working for you. At VEST, we recently explored this challenge with our members and uncovered some powerful lessons worth sharing. In this episode of the VEST Her Podcast , we’ll walk you through how to evaluate your current workflow, identify blockers, design a system that works for you, and reset with confidence when things go off track. Why Evaluate Your Workflow Most of us live on autopilot, answering emails, sitting in meetings, or reacting to client demands. Rarely do we stop to ask: Is this the best use of my time and energy? Through time audits, members discovered surprising patterns about when they feel most focused, what drains them, and how much of their time is lost to tasks that don’t actually move the needle. What Gets in the Way The most common culprit? A false sense of urgency. We often mistake busyness for productivity, rushing to put out fires while our real priorities sit untouched. Other blockers include living in our inbox instead of our priorities, overcommitting, and the guilt of saying no. Designing a Better Workflow Creating a better system isn’t about rigid control, it’s about clarity. A few simple strategies can help: Time blocking : Schedule focused work, admin, and rest. Priority buckets : Sort tasks into must do today, can wait, can let go . Non-negotiables : Protect what fuels you, family time, exercise, quiet moments. When members applied these approaches, they found they could finally protect what matters most and reclaim a sense of purpose in their work. At VEST, we believe your workflow should work for you, not the other way around. Tools and resources we discussed Time Tracking Evaluation Workflow Resetting Checklist Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

Burnout has reached epidemic proportions among professional women. The numbers tell a sobering story: 43% of women leaders report feeling burned out compared to just 31% of men at the same level. What's driving this disparity? Our powerful conversation with the VEST Team reveals two key culprits: perfectionism and people-pleasing. Research from the University of British Columbia shows that perfectionism is strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. Multiple studies also show women are more likely to engage in people-pleasing behaviors at work, often out of fear of being seen as difficult or unlikable. Join us as we dive into the science behind these patterns, exploring how perfectionism correlates with anxiety and depression, while people-pleasing gradually erodes our boundaries until we're running on empty. The most illuminating moments come when our team shares their personal struggles with these tendencies, from the pressure to be "supermoms" and "super workers" to the fear of what might happen if they stop doing so much. We discuss what rest actually looks like in different seasons of life. For those with young children, it might be just an hour to choose what you do yourself rather than responding to others' needs. We share simple but powerful strategies: replacing "should" with "could," taking a pause before automatically saying yes, time-blocking to ensure dedicated rest periods, and perhaps most importantly, getting comfortable asking for help. We also talked about how perfectionism and growth cannot coexist. When we demand perfection from ourselves, we create an environment where learning and authentic connection become impossible. By reframing rest not as a luxury but as an essential professional skill, we open the door to greater creativity, better decision-making, and sustainable success. Whether you're a chronic people-pleaser, a perfectionist, or simply feeling the weight of trying to do it all, this episode offers both validation and practical tools to break these patterns. Join our conversation and discover how establishing healthier boundaries can transform not just how you feel, but how effectively you lead. For the VEST Team full bios, Self-Awareness Exercise and Show notes click here . Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

The whispers about hormones, perimenopause, and menopause have remained frustratingly quiet for too long. Dr. Kristen Markell , a double-board certified OBGYN and certified menopause practitioner, breaks the silence with game-changing clarity in this essential conversation moderated by VEST Member Alison Anthony . For decades, women experiencing brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, and mood changes during perimenopause have been dismissed or told to "just deal with it." Dr. Markell reveals the biological truth: these symptoms aren't character flaws but natural responses to dramatic hormonal fluctuations that can begin up to a decade before menopause. She expertly explains how progesterone typically declines first, while estrogen levels become erratic with extreme highs and lows—a process many healthcare providers themselves don't fully understand. The consequences of this knowledge gap are serious. Women's highest risk of suicide attempts occurs between ages 45-49, coinciding precisely with perimenopause. Beyond mental health, these hormonal changes affect bone density, heart health, and cognitive function. Yet many women suffer silently, especially in professional settings where they fear being perceived as weak or incompetent if they acknowledge their symptoms. Dr. Markell guides listeners through the confusing landscape of treatment options—from hormone replacement therapy and bioidenticals to supplements and lifestyle modifications. She emphasizes that finding the right provider is crucial, suggesting resources like the North American Menopause Society to locate certified practitioners. Most importantly, she frames perimenopause not as a decline but as "a portal into the second half of life"—an opportunity to refocus energy on what truly matters. Whether you're in your 20s planning for future hormonal health, navigating perimenopause now, or supporting someone who is, this conversation provides the knowledge, validation, and practical guidance to transform how we approach this universal yet uniquely personal journey. Your hormones aren't just about symptoms—they're foundational to how you show up in every area of your life. For our guest full bio and show notes click here . Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co

Women have long navigated workspaces that weren't built with us in mind, fueling an inner voice of self-doubt that can hold us back. Dr. Amelia Duran-Stanton, author of "The Lotus Within" and Colonel in the US Army with decades of service, shares strategies for quieting that inner critic while building sustainable confidence as a leader. Dr. Duran Stanton explains her book "The Lotus Within" focuses on strategic planning, time management, and prioritization True confidence comes from showing up prepared, networking effectively, and knowing who to ask for help Building confidence is about training like you fight—preparing thoroughly for high-stakes situations Silencing your inner critic requires trusting your training and refocusing on the mission when self-doubt arises Women of color should see their identities as differentiators rather than trying to assimilate Humility and confidence aren't opposites but complementary forces—"like yin and yang" When transitioning careers, focus on outcomes achieved rather than titles held Recognize toxic environments using the "boiling frog syndrome" metaphor—periodically assess if you're in a harmful situation Daily habits like morning journaling, intentional planning, and celebrating wins help build confidence as a muscle Handle setbacks by allowing yourself to feel the emotion, then asking what you learned and what you'd do differently For our guest full bio and show notes click here Support the show If you enjoy the episode share it with a friend, leave us a review and don't forget to hit the subscribe button. If you are ready to take your career and business to the next level, apply to join our community of professional women, all eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at www.VESTHer.co