Using AI to Shape Your Next Chapter with Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek, CEO of Clarity AI and Best Selling Author (S9:Epi 238)

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Susannah Robinson, CEO & Founder of Partnership for Talent, about what it truly means to lead with impact through service leadership. Susannah emphasizes the importance of defining your leadership vision and leading from it with clarity and purpose. Drawing from years of guiding leaders, she reminds us that perfection isn’t the goal—authenticity is. When leaders show up as their real selves, it creates space for teams to do the same, building trust and fostering a culture of accountability. Susannah is also the author of “Beyond the Boxes and Lines: Are You Ready for the Next Step?”, where she unlocks the secrets to mastering organizational design in today’s dynamic business environment. Susannah is the founder and president of Partnership for Talent LLC. With more than 30 years of executive level leadership experience in human resources, communications, investor relations, board interaction, and business management in a variety of verticals, she works closely with you and your management team to catalyze change within your organization and support your leaders.     Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!   MORE ABOUT SUSANNAH ROBINSON: LinkedIn: Susannah Robinson LinkedIn: Partnership for Talent LLC Website: Partnership for Talent LLC Book: Beyond the Boxes and Lines: ARE YOU READY for the NEXT STEP? Transforming Business Results Through Organizational Design 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 Valarie Sandjivy, founder of EllipsUS. As a seasoned leadership mentor and business coach with over 20 years of experience guiding leaders through growth and change, she empowers today’s leaders to lead themselves and others with empathy, agility, and fresh thinking. Valarie believes that true leadership starts within - because you can't lead others until you know how to lead yourself. Somewhere along the way, we were taught that focusing on ourselves is selfish, but the opposite is true. Self-awareness is strength, and asking for support is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.  Valarie Sandjivy is an adaptive leadership mentor and business coach with over 20 years of experience. She combines her corporate expertise with a creative, intuitive approach to leadership, helping clients build scalable systems while fostering personal and professional transformation. With a deep commitment to evolving leadership and empowering others, Valarie inspires lasting and meaningful change in both business and life.  Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts! MORE ABOUT VALARIE SANDJIVY: LinkedIn: Valarie Sandjivy Website: EllipsUS Blog: EllipsUS Blog 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 Melissa Franks, founder of On Call COO, a fractional COO company. Melissa talks about her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur and how aligning business goals with personal vision is key to sustainable success. She suggests that when looking to make a career pivot, you should ask yourself: 1) What does my life need to look like right now? 2) What does the next year need to look like? 3) What will my life look like once my goals are achieved.  Melissa doesn’t believe in waiting for the right opportunity. She believes in creating it, and part of that comes from knowing how influence really works. If there’s a decision you’re trying to move forward at work, find out who’s influencing the decision-maker. That’s where your relationship-building should start. As a Fractional COO, Melissa provides part-time operational leadership and expertise. In 2022, she left corporate life with a mission to support small businesses with pragmatic approaches to unique problems and a healthy dose of optimism that all businesses can be successful with the right people, doing the right things at the right time.   Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!     MORE ABOUT MELISSA FRANKS: LinkedIn: Melissa Franks Website: Melissa Franks 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 Jensen Savage, founder of Savage Growth Partners, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to start your own business. From embracing fear to finding your niche, Jensen shares her journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. They talk about the entrepreneurial spirit, the power of carving your own path, and why waiting until you're "ready" might hold you back. Jensen’s advice? Do it scared—because clarity often comes from action, not perfection. As the founder of Savage Growth Partners, Jensen has led marketing campaigns that have driven tens of millions in revenue across industries. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Wired, and Inc., and she’s recognized for her hands-on leadership, strategic insights, and results-driven approach. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!   MORE ABOUT JENSEN SAVAGE: LinkedIn: Jensen Savage Website: Savage Growth Partners 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 Dr. Tiffany Watson, Owner of Dr. Tiff’s Fuel. Sweat. Science, about the often-overlooked connection between health, ambition, and sustainable success. Dr. Watson shares practical tips for finding balance in a world that glorifies hustle, and reminds us that if we're not careful, career growth can come at the cost of our well-being. From fueling your body with the right nutrition to making sleep a non-negotiable, this conversation is your reminder that peak performance starts with taking care of yourself - mind, body, and rest. Dr. Watson is an experienced Performance Coach and entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working in the health wellness and fitness industry. Skilled in prevention, employee wellness, nutrition, training, and exercise physiology. Dr. Watson is a Performance Nutrition Director at MPOWER Performance Institute. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!   MORE ABOUT DR. TIFFANY WATSON: LinkedIn: Dr. Tiffany Watson Website: Work With Tiff Limited time Free consultation call Instagram: Work With Dr. Tiff Sign up for Dr. Tiff’s Newsletter 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 Sara Fay Egan, President and CEO of Beale Street Blues, about the power of pivots, both in life and in career. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, actually, it rarely does. From surprise career twists to family emergencies and all the curveballs in between, it can sometimes feel like happiness is just out of reach. But what if you could find joy, even in the chaos? Mary and Sara explore how to recognize the seasons of life, trust your timing, and know when it’s time to shift direction. This honest conversation is a reminder that change isn’t something to fear. It’s often the key to uncovering what truly fulfills you. Sara Fay is president and CEO of Beale Street Blues Company, a Hospitality and Restaurant Group and Entertainment Company. Her understanding of all aspects of the hospitality industry has elevated her to a sought-after expert in the field. Her experiences in event planning and starting and owning businesses, combined with her life experiences, inspired her to write her debut book, “The Through Line: Finding Happiness Through the Curveballs of Life, Family, and Business”.   Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!     MORE ABOUT SARA FAY EGAN: LinkedIn: Sara Fay Egan Website: Sara Fay Egan Website: Sara Fay Egan Events Instagram: Sara Fay Egan Events BOOK: “The Through Line: Finding Happiness Through the Curveballs of Life, Family, and Business” ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek—AI entrepreneur, author of Your AI Roadmap, and CEO of Clarity AI—joins Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet But Fearless, to talk about how to future-proof yourself after a layoff, build a strong personal brand, and work the long game in your career. Joan shares practical strategies for navigating uncertainty, staying resilient, and using AI as a tool to support your goals—not replace them. She offers insight into how AI can help you create a personalized roadmap and pull all the pieces together with clarity and purpose. Dr. Bajorek is an American entrepreneur, linguist, and influencer. She founded Women in Voice, a non-profit 501 organization for women in voice technology and is the CEO of Clarity AI, an AI and software company.   Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!   MORE ABOUT DR. JOAN PALMITER BAJOREK: LinkedIn: Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek Website: Clarity AI Podcast: Clarity AI BOOK: “Your AI Roadmap” ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, chats with Shannon Russell, CEO and Founder of Second Act Success, about how saying "yes" to new opportunities can open exciting new paths for women leaders. Shannon shares her journey from a successful career in entertainment to entrepreneurship, helping women confidently pivot toward more fulfilling careers and lives. If you're feeling uninspired or unfulfilled in your current career, this conversation could be exactly what you need to spark your next move. When your mind, heart, and dreams no longer fit your current path, it’s time to start your second act. Shannon’s new book, Starting Your Second Act (out May 7th), is your ultimate guide to pivot with purpose, reinvent your career, and create your best life. Tune in for inspiration and next steps! Shannon Russell is a former TV producer turned entrepreneur and career/business coach, and understands the fears and challenges of disrupting your carefully planned career and taking the leap into something more. Drawing on her personal experiences and the success stories of other women, she shares her proven three-step Second Act Strategy (reflect, research, realize) to guide you from where you are now to where you want to be. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!   MORE ABOUT SHANNON RUSSELL: LinkedIn: Shannon Russell LinkedIn: Second Act Success Website: Second Act Success Podcast: Second Act Success: Produce Your Best Life BOOK: Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

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