Becoming the Warrior: Silencing Self-Doubt & Leading Boldly with Jenn Donahue

While preparing to release this week’s show, I realized I forgot to launch a show from this past February with Jenn Donahue. Jenn is an amazing leadership expert and has a ton of hard knocks experience in the military. In fact, she almost died while in Iraq, so this woman knows a thing or two about staying calm under pressure. During today’s show, Jenn and I chatted about:Jenn’s fascinating story of leadership in the militaryJenn’s connection with leadership and becoming the warriorHer warrior framework and how we can leverage it to tackle self-doubtWhy high performers are most likely to be riddled with Imposter Syndrome?How do we navigate difficult situations at work?Here is more about Jenn:Jenn Donahue’s career spans commanding over 800 troops in Afghanistan (where she had an assassination attempt on her life), building literal bridges in Iraq, and leading earthquake engineering teams in some of the world’s most high-stakes climates. In Becoming the Warrior, she shares how developing a “warrior mindset” helped her navigate high-pressure military missions and can help anyone overcome fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty to lead with confidence, whether you’re leading teams of 5 or 500.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!If you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Your Imposter Syndrome, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three!If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Jenn to the show!Questions (Segment 2): Can you tell us more about your background story? How have you gotten to where you are today?What was it like to lead over 800 troops in Afghanistan and navigate an assassination attempt on your life?Tell us more about your Book, Becoming the Warrior: Harnessing Your Inner Strength to Silence Self-Doubt.What does warrior mindset mean to you?How did you use your own warrior mindset during your military career?What is the Warrior Framework (Perceive, Assess, Ready, Act) and how do we apply this decision-making practice in business?How can we tackle the “mean little voice” in our own minds that fuels self-doubt?Why are top performers most saddled with Imposter Syndrome, and what is the anecdote?What advice would you give to women that work in predominantly male-dominated industries or want to rise to the top leadership seats in their organization? How do we navigate landmines and other toxic situations at work?What are 1-2 ways women can be braver at work?How can women connect with your work online?

It’s a reunion podcast! I love it when I can reconnect with prior guests. Kathy Miller and I did our first podcast together 2-3 years ago, so it’s been a hot minute!Kathy has an amazing story in manufacturing you will hear more about. She has that spine of steel and truly learned how to be a great leader from the ground up. It’s amazing that she is now paying it forward to share her leadership knowledge with others. During today’s show, Kathy and I chatted about:We caught up since it’s been a few years since we chatted last. We talked about how Kathy’s work has evolved and grown. Kathy’s book, MORE is Better: Leading Operations with Meaning, Optimism, and Relationships for Excellence.What meaningful work means to KathyWhy optimism is so important for leaders and how you can foster that quality inside yourselfHow do we build trust, safety, and accountability in our work relationshipsHere is more about Kathy:Kathy Miller guides operations leaders on how to turn culture into a competitive advantage that shows up in safety, quality, delivery, and the bottom line.A former Global Director of Manufacturing, Assembly & Test for Rolls-Royce Defense, she has led multi-billion-dollar operations across aerospace, automotive, and diversified industrials. As an independent board director and senior manufacturing executive, Kathy is known for building systems and cultures where people do their best work and results follow. She has a track record of guiding organizations through transformation by aligning leadership behavior, operational processes, and strategy.Kathy is a Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame inductee and the Shingo Prize–winning co-author of Steel Toes and Stilettos:  A True Story of Women Manufacturing Leaders and Lean Transformation Success.  Her latest book, MORE Is Better: Leading Operations with Meaning, Optimism, and Relationships for Excellence, translates organizational research into practical tools for leaders with teams on both carpet AND concrete. Through her firm, MORE 4 Leaders, she is a keynote speaker, designs and conducts leadership workshops, and coaches leaders at all levels who want to build and sustain high performance by taking culture as seriously as any other system in the business.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!If you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Your Imposter Syndrome, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three!If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  

Have you heard the phase, “leadership is a big responsibility?” So many of us, including yours truly, initially got promoted because I was good at my job as an individual contributor. And no, I did not get management training. I fumbled and bumbled and was a manager, not a leader, for a long time. I didn’t delegate well and tried to do everything myself. I didn’t fully trust my people, and in return, they didn’t trust me. I didn’t believe I was strategic or had vision. And I didn’t understand the need to create paths for my employees or how to have their backs in rooms they weren’t in. Thank goodness, over time I learned. I did the internal work to forge myself into a leader. But, in my conversation with my guest today, Lisa Even, I realized that I am still learning. This is the first time that I learned about how powerful of a ripple effect leaders can have on their people and overall organizations. Also, I have never met someone until Lisa who realizes that joy is part of their jobs. Joy doesn’t just happen; we must plan for it and be present enough to fully experience it.During today’s show, Lisa and I chatted about:What is the leadership ripple effect.How leaders can happen to their teams and not the other way around.The difference between a good ripple and a bad one.Her book, Joy is My Job: A Book to Spark Joy Filled Mindset, Moments, and Experiences!Lisa’s upcoming book, What’s Your Ripple Effect? And Why it Matters More than Ever. A Leader’s Guide to Creating Lasting Impact and Influence.How Lisa finds space for joy in her life and work.Here is more about Lisa:Lisa Even (ee-ven) is on a mission to help leaders and organizations createthe Ultimate Ripple Effect, the kind that moves people and drives impact.Better leaders. Better culture. Better results.A nationally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling author of Joy Is My Job, and host of the Have Good Ripple Effect podcast, Lisa has partnered with top organizations across the world to help teams navigate change and create remarkable performance.Through her signature S.E.A. Model (Show up, Engage, Adapt), Lisa teaches that culture and performance aren’t built in meetings; they’rebuilt in the moments in between, through attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs.A former healthcare operational leader at a Fortune 500 company overseeing a multimillion-dollar budget, Lisa learned firsthand that greatleaders don’t wait for culture to happen; they build it intentionally. Drawing on more than a decade of leadership experience, she equips audiences to move from the day-to-day hustle to captaining their own ship.Her message blends strategy, science, humor, and connection, showing that when leaders focus on creating a Good Ripple Effect, resultsalways follow.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I call on you this week to reach out to another woman in your life. A woman that needs a good word, a in-person or virtual hug, motivation, or support. You have no idea the ripple effect it will have.Today on the show, Ashley and I dive into something so important and foundational – purpose. During today’s show, Ashley and I chatted about:The meaning behind unlimited to Ashley, especially since her company’s name is You Unlimited.Why is purpose so important, and how do you we go about finding our own purpose?How does Ashley leverage CliftonStrengths in her work with teams?What is the intersection between purpose and CliftonStrengths?What is flow state coaching?When was the last time that Ashley was in a flow state?Here is more about Ashley:Ashley Kletke is the founder of You Unlimited Coaching and Workshops. You Unlimited helps organizations uncover their purpose, elevate their strengths, and engineer their cultures. As an engineer turned performance coach and facilitator, Ashley has a unique ability to bridge the analytical and the human — helping individuals, teams, and businesses move forward with clarity and purpose.Ashley's work is rooted in the belief that when people understand their unlimited purpose and leverage their individual strengths, that's when they truly become unlimited. She uses CliftonStrengths as one of her core tools in her work with teams, helping them move beyond simply agreeing that collaboration matters to actually knowing how to do it. She also weaves wellbeing and flow state coaching into her practice, with a firm belief that wellbeing is fuel for performance — not a nice-to-have, but a necessity.Based in Mattawan, Michigan, Ashley works with people and organizations ready to get clear on the purpose behind their goals and build the tools to be their best selves — at work and in life.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Ashley to the show!Questions (Segment 2): Can you tell us more about your background story? How have you gotten to where you are today?What does You Unlimited mean to you? And as a follow-up, what is unlimited purpose and why is it important to you?Once you understand your unlimited purpose, what changes for you personally and professionally? (We can also talk about the quote on your site – “Your real job in life is to figure out what it is you are called to do.” – Oprah Winfrey)I have had guests on the show talk about CliftonStrengths and discovering your individual strengths. How do you use it with your work with teams? How does your purpose work and CliftonStrengths intersect?Why is wellbeing fuel for performance in teams and organizations as a whole? What is your perspective on the state of wellbeing at work today?What is flow state coaching? How do you advise your clients to get in a flow state?When was the last time you were in a flow state?What are 1-2 ways women at be braver at work?How can women connect with you and your work online?

Today on the show, I am so pleased to share that I chatted about the new rules of leadership with Selena Rezvani. Selena just gets it, and she has digestible leadership content and books that anyone can apply to their lives and careers. Selena is also widely followed on all the social platforms, so go check her out!During today’s show, Selena and I talked about:Her book, Quick Leadership: Build Trust, Navigate Change, and Cultivate Unstoppable TeamsWhy managing with heart is critical to build trust and loyalty and is a strength, not a weaknessHer book, Quick Confidence: Be Authentic, Boost Connections, and Make Bold Bets on YourselfHer TEDx talk and how it still holds the test of time, How we can move past overdoing, overthinking, and overexplaining to free up our time and energyHere is more about Selena:Selena Rezvani is an internationally known leadership speaker and author, TEDx-er, and an award-winning journalist. Forbes recently named her the premier expert on advocating for yourself at work.She trains some of the brightest minds on leadership development at places like The World Bank, Microsoft, Under Armour, Pfizer, and Nestlé—helping emerging leaders enhance their presence, self-confidence, and build trust. Selena’s advice has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Oprah.com, Today, The LA Times, and ABC and NBC television. Selena’s latest book, Quick Confidence, a Wall Street Journal bestseller, is the culmination of a viral newsletter she started on LinkedIn, where she shares bite-sized tips on boosting confidence. Her forthcoming book, Quick Leadership, comes out on November 10, 2025.Selena creates daily video content on leadership that reaches a wide audience across social media. Having amassed a following of over 500k followers across platforms, she was honored as a Fast Company Top Content Creator. In addition to coaching and consulting emerging leaders, Selena offers workshops to teams and conferences including her sought-after “How to be a Fierce Self-Advocate” and “Quick Confidence: Own Your Power” workshops. Today, she writes a column for MSNBC’s Know Your Value on the most pressing leadership and career issues.Selena has MSW and BS degrees from NYU and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. To learn more about Selena and to book her for your next event, visit SelenaRezvani.com.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I’m so excited to have another Chicago gal in the house today with me, Harper A. Bailey. Harper and I discovered we had SO much in common with our stories, perspectives, etc. that I hope to meet up with her IRL (in real life) sometime soon!During today’s show, Harper and I talked about:What it felt like for her to be the first Black woman to lead a prominent national women’s healthcare nonprofit.Her burnout story and the grief of transition between who she was and who she became after the experience.The story behind her name Harper A. Bailey and what her real name is and why she decided to use it (grab a tissue).Her book, It Was Her: A Memoir.The differences between macro and micro grief.The moments of grief in corporate that no one talks about. I even share an example I have processed recently.If you are willing to dig a bit deeper on how grief touches us in unexpected ways and is related to burnout and our healing, listen to today’s conversation.Here is more about Harper:Harper A. Bailey is the pen name of Tiosha Bailey, a Chicago native,public health leader, and powerful storyteller who challenges the statusquo. She was the first Black woman to lead a prominent nationalwomen's healthcare nonprofit, where she prioritized health equity andamplified the voices of underserved communities.Her first book, It Was Her: A Memoir—featuring a foreword by renownedmotivational speaker Lisa Nichols—invites readers into a deeply personalstory shaped by loss, resilience, and transformation. Through honest andcompelling storytelling, Harper explores identity, healing, and thecourage it takes to reclaim your narrative.As a speaker, Harper brings clarity, depth, and humor to conversationsabout leadership, purpose, and the lived experiences of Black women.She connects with audiences through truth-telling and a passion forcreating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m so pumped to let you know that the E-Book for Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is now available on Amazon!If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  

Have you ever wanted to build a business? What about a huge business? While many of our listeners are corporate warriors, I wanted to share the brave story of my guest, Jacqueline Basulto, Founder and CEO of SeedX, a multi-million-dollar data and digital business. Most, if not all, of the takeaways from this podcast apply to all of us. During our discussion, Jacqueline and I chatted about:The story of how she built her company, SeedX.What challenges Jacqueline has faced as she grew her organizationHow she has managed balancing her personal and professional life as an entrepreneurAdvice for any women who would like to build a business or even start a side hustleAnd the role female leaders play in developing strong company culturesIf you have a dream you want to pursue, this show is for you!Here is more about Jacqueline:Jacqueline Basulto is an award-winning, self-made Latina entrepreneur, and the visionary founder, CEO, and Director of New Business at SeedX, Inc. SeedX is a results-driven data and digital growth agency, dedicated to helping clients reach their business objectives through data-driven online strategies and innovative solutions. With over eight years of industry experience, Jacqueline has built a remarkable reputation for delivering tangible outcomes and creating lasting value for clients across diverse sectors and markets.In 2021, Jacqueline was named to Forbes 30 Under 30, recognized as one of the leading figures in the marketing and advertising industries. Her company has also garnered multiple accolades from Clutch, earning recognition as the #1 Woman-Owned Digital Agency and the #1 B2B Agency in the United States.A passionate advocate for empowering businesses, Jacqueline is committed to equipping companies with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in the digital age. She is a sought-after speaker and content creator, covering topics such as business growth, grassroots online political strategy, community engagement, sales training, and leadership.A proud native of New York, Jacqueline is a devoted mother to a two-year-old daughter and shares her life with her husband, daughter, and three beloved dogs.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Jacqueline to the show!

I thought that Imposter Syndrome was something to be managed. Not eradicated, but managed. Jen has an entirely different view on Imposter Syndrome. She thinks we can make it our superpower. I was curious and completely open-minded to Jen’s perspective because there’s always more to learn.During our discussion, Jen and I chatted about:How she got into the STEM sector and continues to work with people in STEM and other industries today.Why she believes Imposter Syndrome is our superpower and not something to get rid of.How Imposter Syndrome shows up for Jen and other leadersWhat is Jen’s Leadership DecoderWhy people call Jen the velvet sledgehammerHere is more about Jen:Featured on ABC, MSNBC, and TEDx, Jen Coken is an internationallyrecognized executive leadership coach, speaker, and best-sellingauthor with more than twenty-five years of experience helping leadersbreak barriers and lead with authority. She’s guided nearly 10,000leaders worldwide—from Fortune 1000 executives to emerging women inSTEM—to transform self-doubt into confidence, and confusion intoclarity.Jen’s trademark blend of neuroscience, soul, and stand-up makes herunlike any other coach in the leadership space. She uses humor toreach people where logic can’t—because when there’s laughter, there’slistening, and when there’s listening, there’s learning.Her book, Make Imposter Syndrome Your Superpower, offers a practicalroadmap for leaders to own their brilliance and lead with influence,impact, and unapologetic authenticity. Whether she’s on a stage, inthe trenches with your team, or coaching one-on-one, Jen’s mission isconstant: to help brilliant minds show up as their boldest, mostpowerful selves—without compromise.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Jen to the show!

Well friends and podcast listeners, I have met another sister from another mister in my guest today, Dr. Kasi Lacey! I met Dr. Kasi at the Thrive in ’25 Conference last summer, and I was like, Dr. Kasi is my person! When we chatted, I really resonated with what she was saying and so much of our corporate war stories were similar, even though Dr. Kasi and I come from different industries. It simply goes to show you that it doesn’t really matter the industry. What matters is that we share our stories so that women do not feel alone. When I met Dr. Kasi, I know I felt seen. Like my work with Brave Women at Work, Dr. Kasi focuses a big portion of her work on lifting women up so they can build confidence and advocate for themselves. Once I found that out, I knew she had to be on the show.During our discussion, Dr. Kasi and I chatted about:Confidence is a skill we can build; it’s not something we have or don’t have.How resilience, grit, and clarity have key roles in building confidence in any area of your life.How boundaries go hand in hand with confidence buildingWe chatted about how Dr. Kasi loves being on stage, and it wasn’t something she set out to do.Her upcoming book, The Confidence Comeback: The Psychology of Reclaiming Your Power, Voice, and LeadershipAnd we also touched on her course: Break Free from Self-DoubtHere is more about Dr. Kasi:Dr. Lacey is a nationally recognized psychologist, author, keynote speaker, and confidence coach who empowers women and workplaces to lead with confidence.She blends the science of psychology with actionable leadership strategies to deliver high-impact, transformative keynotes and training that leave audiences inspired and equipped to take action.With 15+ years of experience as a C-suite executive in higher education and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Dr. Lacey is known for her relatable, energizing speaking style and her deep understanding of what it truly takes to cultivate confidence in leadership - especially for women navigating high-pressure roles.Whether she’s on stage, on camera, or in a boardroom, Dr. Lacey's mission is clear: help women lead unapologetically and help organizations build thriving, inclusive, and psychologically safe environments.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Dr. Kasi to the show!