Go Be You with Jennifer Kaplan, Owner, Evolve Public Relations and Marketing (S9:Epi 266)

As the year comes to a close, Cooper Alexander and Mary Sullivan, co-founders of Sweet but Fearless, invite you to pause and reflect on what this past year really asked of you. What one pattern repeated itself and quietly ran the year. The one that drained your energy levels, delayed decisions, or kept things heavier than they needed to be. You're not to judge yourself or the pattern but just recognize and understand it. Patterns form to protect us, but once we recognize them, we don't have to keep living inside them. Mary and Cooper talk through patterns many women leaders see again and again - over-responsibility, minimizing your own needs, taking care of everyone else first, delaying decisions out of fear, hiding ambition, or working hard without visibility - and how one of these often becomes the core lesson of the year. You're encouraged to think about that pattern, what it taught you, and whether you want to carry it into the new year - or finally let it go. From there, the questions get simple and honest: What needs to shift? What are you refusing to repeat? And what might next year look like if this pattern stopped running the show? This podcasts goal is to help you name what shaped you this year - so you can choose what comes with you into the next one. Here's to a focused and succesful 2026! ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this podcast, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with pioneering OB-GYN, Dr. Marcia Harris, Medical Director of Wellness Restoration Center, who shares her journey through healthcare as the first Black woman to train in obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. She reflects on pursuing many interests with a "try it and see" mindset, honoring how far she's come, and following her passion. They also discuss burnout, her shift toward wellness and restoration, and why self-care is survival, not selfishness. This conversation underscores the urgent need to prioritize women's health, personalized care, and putting women back at the center of their own lives. Dr. Marcia A Harris MD trained at the prestigious Weill-Cornell Medical Center, The New York Hospital, after completing medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.   MORE ABOUT DR. MARCIA HARRIS: Website: The Wellness Restoration Center LinkedIn: Marcia A Harris ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this podcast, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Jennifer Kaplan, Owner, Evolve Public Relations and Marketing, to explore what it really takes to follow your passion and why the journey often requires a few calculated risks along the way. Jennifer shares her unapologetic philosophy that fear is the real "F-word," the one that keeps too many of us from stepping into what we truly love. Together, Mary and Jennifer dive into protecting your most expensive commodity, your time, and embracing the power of saying no without guilt. This episode is a reminder that the world doesn't need a more polished version of you… it needs the real you. Jennifer Kaplan founded Evolve Public Relations and Marketing in 2010, driven by the goal of connecting with her clients to understand and meet their needs. She brings years of start-up experience, dating back to 2005, when she co-founded PRIME 3, LLC. MORE ABOUT JENNIFER KAPLAN: Website: Evolve Public Relations & Marketing LinkedIn: Jennifer Kaplan ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this important conversation, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Diane Strand, CEO of JDS Studios, who has built her career on the belief that opportunities aren't found, they're created. Diane discusses her signature DREAM framework (Direction, Realization, Evaluation, Action, Momentum) and explains how clarity, consistency, and courage fuel lasting success. She encourages leaders to present themselves as the person they aspire to be, to show up even when it feels uncomfortable, and to fully embrace being seen and heard. A powerful conversation for anyone ready to make an impact. Diane is the CEO of JDS Studios, a multi–award-winning video production company, the Executive Producer of Spirit of Innovation, the Festival Director of DigiFest Temecula, and a bestselling author. While she firmly believes there's no such thing as overnight success, Diane has spent more than 30 years creating, developing, and boldly carving out her place as a producer, educator, and visionary in the visual, performing, digital arts, and entertainment industries.   MORE ABOUT DIANE STRAND: Website: JDS Studios LinkedIn: Diane Strand DigiFest Temecula TedTalk Temecula Book: Show Business: Breaking into the Industry as an Actor ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this important conversation, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Lisa Levy, Founder & Disruption and Innovation Catalyst, Lcubed Consulting, about the challenges we all face throughout our careers — the speed bumps, pivots, and unexpected twists that shape who we become as leaders. Together, they explore how growth happens when we commit to reading, continual learning, and doing the things that make us uncomfortable. It's all about stretching ourselves so we can step into the leaders we're meant to be. Lisa Levy is the Founder and CEO of Lcubed Consulting, a business that helps enterprise to medium level organizations elevate through strategic goal achievement. A frequent guest expert on multiple media outlets including NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX, Lisa is also a frequent speaker at business executive conferences.   MORE ABOUT LISA LEVY: Website: Lcubed Consulting LinkedIn: Lisa Levy Book: Future Proofing Cubed: The Definitive Guide to Improving Productivity, Refining Processes, and Bolstering Profitability ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this important conversation, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Nancy Griffin, CEO and Founder of Women, Worth & Wellness. Nancy attributes her decades of success to personal courage, determination, and a deep sense of joy, especially when championing women's health and wellness. Since founding Women, Worth & Wellness in 1994 as a Private Client Wealth Advisor, she has dedicated her career to helping women strengthen both their net worth and self-worth. Nancy brings her signature mix of warmth, wisdom, and empowerment to this episode as she and Mary break down the truth about investing, starting with the most powerful investment you'll ever make: yourself. She shares why learning to invest is essential, why you shouldn't try to be your own investment advisor, and how to be discerning when choosing who to trust with your money, your goals, and your future. Known for inspiring and informing women about their personal health, wealth, philanthropy, and legacy, Nancy's mission is to help women feel fabulous, generous, joyful, confident, and fully in command of their lives—every single day. Tune in for a grounded, accessible, and heartfelt conversation designed to help you step into financial confidence while keeping you at the center of every decision.   MORE ABOUT NANCY GRIFFIN: Website: Women, Worth & Wellness LinkedIn: Nancy Griffin ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this podcase episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with transformational coach and author, Martine Cohen to explore how adversity can become the catalyst for reinvention. Martine shares insights from her book No More Layers, where she uses the metaphor of "layers" to reveal how fear, conditioning, and limiting beliefs keep us from accessing our true potential. Together, they discuss why the first step in any meaningful pivot is to look inward, to lead yourself before leading others. Martine emphasizes the importance of being proactive, investing in yourself, and releasing the illusion of perfection. Leadership isn't about being a boss, it's about guiding yourself toward the life and career you truly want. If you've ever felt stuck or weighed down by expectations, this episode will inspire you to shed what no longer serves you and step confidently into your next chapter. MORE ABOUT MARTINE COHEN: Website: Martine Cohen LinkedIn: Martine Cohen Book: No More Layers: Discover Your Inner Power and Reclaim True Freedom From the Inside Out FREE: Feeling overwhelmed by your brain chatter?Join this FREE 2-day reset and discover a simple, 4-minute tool to stop the mental chaos in its tracks. ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, sits down with Bizzie Gold, mental health innovator, speaker, and author of Your Brain Is a Filthy Liar. Using a science-backed approach to Brain Pattern Mapping, Bizzie exposes how your mind manipulates you into believing the same comfortable lies, all while making your life harder than it needs to be. Together, they talk about why most self-sabotage begins in childhood and how labels can become convenient excuses that block real growth. Bizzie is a trailblazing innovator in emotional rewiring, blending cutting-edge technology with data-driven insights to revolutionize the mental health field. As the creator of a nationally accredited methodology, she challenges the status quo by exposing the subconscious patterns that drive behavior and offering efficient, sustainable tools for lasting change.  MORE ABOUT BIZZIE GOLD: Website: Bizzie Gold LinkedIn: Bizzie Gold Instagram: Bizzie Gold Decoded Podcast with Bizzie Book: Your Brain is a Filthy Liar: How Self-Deception Controls You and the Path to Freedom ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Karen Bartholomew to explore her transformative Power of the Pause methodology, a step-by-step framework designed to help you redesign your next chapter with intention and courage. Karen believes our greatest superpower is curiosity, and that failure isn't a setback but a gift that reveals what truly matters. Through her Pause Methodology, she shares how to slow down, reflect, and create space for growth, clarity, and reinvention. Whether you're navigating a career pivot, a personal transition, or simply craving a reset, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the pause and rediscover the power within it. Through The Pause Method, Karen helps women and leaders break free from limiting beliefs, release old patterns, and step fully into their potential. Whether you're navigating a major life transition, seeking more meaning in your career, or simply wanting to show up more powerfully in your own life, she'll help you slow down so you can speed up in the right direction.   MORE ABOUT KAREN BARTHOLOMEW: Website: Karen Bartholomew YouTube: The Power of the Pause ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Brooke Lively, founder and president of Cathedral Capital, about the twists, turns, and unexpected detours that shape a fulfilling career. Together, they explore how finding where you belong often means recognizing that the right company is one whose core values truly align with your own. Brooke shares how each job, whether it's a perfect fit or a painful mismatch, can teach you something valuable. Even a challenging boss can become a guidepost, showing you the kind of leader you aspire to be. As Robert Frost wrote, "I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." This episode reminds us that success isn't about a straight line, it's about the growth, lessons, and wins you collect along the way.   MORE ABOUT BROOKE LIVELY: LinkedIn: Brooke LivelyWebsite: Brooke Lively Website: CathCap YouTube: An Interview with Brooke Lively ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless