Struggling with Balance? How to Choose Where Your Energy Goes. (S9:Epi 230)

At a certain point in your leadership journey, success isn’t about doing more—it’s about seeing more. In this episode, Mary Sullivan, a co-founder with Sweet but Fearless talks with Stacey Linderman, CFO Specialist and President of CFO Services, who shares why stepping back is one of the most strategic moves a leader can make. Stacey explores how letting go of day-to-day tasks opens the door to stronger decision-making, bigger-picture thinking, and better use of your team’s strengths. Stacey discusses her go-to leadership tool—a tailored SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) approach—and how she uses it to gain clarity, bring in outside perspectives, and navigate change with confidence. As the founder of A6 Financial and Business Optimization, Stacey provides CFO services that go beyond the numbers, offering strategic insights, financial strategies, and operational efficiencies that drive profitability. Her goal is to help businesses achieve financial clarity and sustainable growth. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!   MORE ABOUT STACEY LINDERMAN: Website: A6 Financial and Business Optimization LinkedIn: Stacey Linderman ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Today, we're unpacking something rarely acknowledged: career grief. Imagine being at the top of your game, feeling unstoppable — then suddenly, it’s all gone. That’s what happened to Laverne McKinnon, Career Strategist and Speaker. Losing her job wasn’t just a professional setback; it felt like losing a part of herself. Her identity had been so deeply intertwined with her career, and when it ended, she was left with a sense of loss. Laverne calls it disenfranchised grief — a silent grief that society often overlooks because "it’s just work." But it’s not just work. It’s purpose, it’s pride, it’s identity. And when it's ripped away, you deserve to grieve it. You’re allowed to feel that loss, process it, and then — when you're ready — pivot toward what’s next. Remember: honoring your grief is the first step to finding your next chapter. Laverne McKinnon is a certified grief counselor, leadership and personal coach, and former film and television producer. In her role as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, Laverne's course on Persuasion & Pitching has propelled students to excel, fostering a culture of innovation and strategic thinking. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts! MORE ABOUT LAVERNE MCKINNON: Website: Moonshot Mentor LinkedIn: Laverne McKinnon Instagram: Laverne McKinnon YouTube: Laverne McKinnon/Moonshot Mentor ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary and Cooper, co-founders of Sweet but Fearless, dig into what really drives a team - performance, morale, and the connections that hold everything together. The #1 reason employees leave their jobs? It’s not salary—it’s feeling unappreciated or disconnected. We’ll help you recognize when a team is starting to struggle, whether it’s missed deadlines, low energy, or lack of collaboration.  From small shifts in leadership style to everyday check-ins that actually matter, we’re sharing practical tips to create a healthier, more motivated work environment. Whether you’re leading a team or part of one, this episode is packed with insights to help you build stronger relationships, boost morale, and keep people engaged. Because when people feel supported and seen, they stick around—and they do their best work. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!   ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

What if you could build a six-figure income without creating your own product? In this episode, Mary Sullivan of Sweet but Fearless sits down with Whitney Bonds, the CEO and Founder of Tried and True Mom Jobs, to uncover one of the most overlooked (but seriously powerful) ways to make money online: affiliate marketing. Whitney gets real about how she turned her struggles into solutions, launching a low-cost, flexible income stream that now brings in over $200K a year—all while supporting her family and designing a life she loves. She didn’t chase trends or quick wins. She built trust. She showed up with purpose. And she’s sharing how you can do the same. 💡 Why affiliate marketing is perfect for busy people 💬 How simple, everyday conversations can turn into income (without feeling “salesy”) 🚀 The steps she took to go from $0 to full-time freedom If you're dreaming of financial independence, time freedom, or simply want to start a side hustle that actually works—this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable tips to help you get started on your own terms. Whitney Bonds is the Founder and CEO of Business Expedited a membership designed to help future entrepreneurs find their business idea, grow it and monetize it. If you found this episode inspiring, please subscribe, like, and leave a comment.   MORE ABOUT WHITNEY BONDS: Website: Business Expedited LinkedIn: Whitney Bonds Instagram: Whitney Bonds YouTube: Whitney Bonds 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 Nikki Nash, Investor, Entrepreneur, and Author, about the power of taking shots and making bold moves. She shares how she learned to take a leap of faith—not just in her career but in building her personal brand. Because let’s be real, success isn’t just about what you do at work; it’s about who you are and how you position yourself. Nikki dives into why relationship-building is key—people need to know you, not just your team. Visibility matters, and if no one knows what you bring to the table, opportunities can pass you by. She also drops some serious wisdom on money-making as a skill and how success isn’t random—it’s strategic. One of her most powerful tips? Your calendar should reflect your goals. If someone looked at your schedule, they should see exactly what you’re working toward. It’s all about staging your day with intention. Get ready to take notes—you won’t want to miss this conversation. Nikki is a veteran marketer, long-time entrepreneur, and speaker who has helped business that generate $35M in annual revenue down to coaches making their first dollar. Before entrepreneurship, she worked at various companies where she had experience working with such brands as Intel, InStyle, Travel + Leisure, and Louis Vuitton MOET Hennessy.  If you found this episode inspiring, please subscribe, like, and leave a comment.   MORE ABOUT NIKKI NASH: Website: Nikki Nash LinkedIn: Nikki Nash Podcast: The Market Your Genius Podcast Book: Market Your Genius   ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Struggling to juggle it all? In this episode, Cooper Alexander and Mary Sullivan, co-founders of Sweet but Fearless, dive into the art of balancing priorities—because let’s be real, there’s never enough time for everything, but there’s always time for what truly matters. We’ll break down how to identify what deserves your energy, set boundaries without guilt, and stay focused without burning out. Whether you're managing a career pivot, building a business, or just trying to have a life outside the hustle, this episode is your reminder that balance isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what counts. Tune in and start prioritizing with purpose! If you found this episode inspiring, please subscribe, like, and leave a comment.   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 Sandy Saburn, Chief Strategic Alliances Officer at Gifted Travel Network, about the ever-evolving world of luxury travel. With a background as a career coach, marketing expert, and business consultant, Sandy made a bold leap into the travel industry—and now she’s helping others do the same. She shares insider insights on why more people are choosing to work with travel advisors, how the industry has shifted toward curated, experience-driven travel, and why today’s most sought-after trips go beyond what’s Googleable. If you’ve ever dreamed of working in travel, she also breaks down how to get started as an advisor or entrepreneur in the field. Life is short—so why wait to book those dream experiences? Sandy Saburn is the Chief Strategic Alliances Officer at Gifted Travel Network (GTN), a fast-growing, female-led company in the high-end travel industry and innovative host agency in the travel industry.   If you found this episode inspiring, please subscribe, like, and leave a comment.   MORE ABOUT SANDY SABURN LinkedIn: Sandy Saburn Website: Gifted Travel Network FREE: Mindset Blocks: How to Overcome Them and Beat the Odds as an Entrepreneur 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 Marley Majcher, CEO of the Party Goddess and bestselling author, about her journey into the world of party planning and how it led to a thriving entrepreneurial career. This episode is all about embracing change, trusting your instincts, and creating opportunities even when the path isn’t clear. Marley Majcher is the CEO of The Party Goddess!, a nationally acclaimed full-service event planning and catering company. From understated elegance to rock star fabulous, she is known for creating the most talked-about parties of the year for a client list ranging from top-tier businesses to A-list celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Sofia Vergara, and Britney Spears. ‍ If you found this episode inspiring, please subscribe, like, and leave a comment. MORE ABOUT MARLEY MAJCHER LinkedIn: Marley Majcher Website: The Profit Goddess Podcast: Profit Goddess Book: But Are You Making Any Money? 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 Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE, founder and CEO of ICAN, about her incredible 24-year journey in shaping strategies to tackle conflict, crises, and violent extremism. As a passionate and dynamic peace strategist, she’s worked with civil society, governments, and the UN to create real, meaningful change. Sanam is the founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN), where she leads the groundbreaking Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL)—a powerful coalition of independent, women-led organizations in 40 countries dedicated to preventing violence and advancing peace, rights, and pluralism. If you found this episode inspiring, please subscribe, like, and leave a comment.   MORE ABOUT SANAM NARAGHI ANDERLINI LinkedIn: Sanam Naraghi Anderlini Website: ICAN – International Civil Society Action Network Podcast: If You Were in Charge Book: Women Building Peace: What They Do, Why it Matters London School of Economics and Political Science, Director, Centre for Women, Peace, and Security 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 Kseniia Duplyakin, Sr. QA Analyst with Learnix Tree Center about opportunities as a Software Quality Assurance. From testing software for bugs to ensuring a seamless user experience, SQA professionals play a vital role in delivering high-quality products. Kseniia talks about the skills needed, tools used, and different career paths within QA, including manual testing, automation testing, and performance testing. Kseniia Duplyakina is an expert in Automated Software Testing. She has a degree in Computer Science from Odessa Polytechnic University, Ukraine. Since moving to the USA, she quickly became an industry leader in designing and implementing Quality Assurance processes for software solutions for government and commercial projects as a QA Architect and Product Owner. Kseniia brings her years of experience to her students at Learnix Center, where she designed the “Automated Testing Tools” course for the Software Quality Assurance program.   If you found this episode inspiring, please subscribe, like, and leave a comment. MORE ABOUT KSENIIA DUPLYAKINA LinkedIn: Kseniia Duplyakina Website: Learnix Tree Center ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless