VEST Her Podcast

What happens when the career you’ve built no longer reflects everything you want to do? Even after years of success, wanting something different can feel uncomfortable, especially when everyone else thinks you should be satisfied with where you are.In this episode of The VEST Her Podcast, Debbie Shon and Beverly Carmichael discuss what it takes to change direction, challenge expectations, and build a career that leaves room for your interests and ambitions to evolve.Debbie has built an extraordinary career across law, government, sports, entertainment, and international business. A former CEO of Ticketmaster China and head of international business at Ticketmaster, she served as Assistant U.S. Trade Representative in the Clinton administration and Chief Legal Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at USA Gymnastics, helping guide the organization through a period of profound institutional reform.Joining her is corporate board director and former C-suite executive Beverly Carmichael, whose own career has taken her from practicing law to executive leadership at Southwest Airlines, Ticketmaster, and Cracker Barrel.Debbie first hired Beverly early in her legal career. Years later, Beverly recruited Debbie to Ticketmaster. Along the way, they’ve remained friends, trusted advisors, and advocates for each other’s careers. With humor and candor, they reflect on pursuing opportunities others thought were out of reach, navigating rooms where they were the only women who looked like them, and deciding when it was time for something new.If you’ve been wondering what else might be possible for you, this conversation is worth making time for. For our guest bios and show notes, click here.Support the showIf 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 living through a crisis of trust.Trust in institutions. Trust in business. Trust in media. Trust in government. Even trust in one another. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, only 54% of Americans trust business to do what is right. Just 44% trust the media. And only 39% trust government.But perhaps the more troubling number is that 70% of people say they are hesitant or unwilling to trust someone who is different from them. So what happens when we stop trusting our institutions and increasingly, one another?How do you build trust in an environment where skepticism has become the default?That’s what we explore in this episode with Amy Weisenbach, Chief Marketing Officer of The New York Times, and VEST Member Michelle Brobston, Chief Operations Officer at Hunger Free Oklahoma.Amy has spent nearly a decade thinking about this question from inside one of the most scrutinized institutions in the world. And what she’s learned about trust applies far beyond media.Whether you’re building a brand, leading a team, stepping into a new role, or simply trying to figure out who and what deserves your trust, this conversation will make you think differently about how trust is earned.For our guests full bio and show notes click here.Support the showIf 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 

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 showIf 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 showIf 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 showIf 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 showIf 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 yourselfWhy so many high-achieving women feel stuck on autopilotThe difference between survival and alignmentHow ambition can become fear-driven instead of fulfillingWhat it means to imagine beyond the role you currently occupyThis conversation is for anyone who has ever felt:Burned out from constantly proving themselvesTrapped inside a version of success that no longer fitsCurious about what expansion could look like beyond titles and external validationReady to rethink what opportunity actually means in this season of lifeWe 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 showIf 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 showIf 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 decisionsHow to slow down fast-moving rooms and “set the temperature”Three common negotiation pitfalls: self-negotiation, worthiness spirals, and failing to follow upThe FLOW framework for navigating difficult conversationsThe LATTE framework for preparing, communicating, and evaluating negotiationsA 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 BiosSupport the showIf 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 showIf 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