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On this episode, I’m joined by Chalene Johnson, a world-renowned health expert, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author, podcaster, and trainer who has sold millions of fitness videos. Today, Chalene shares with listeners her insights into the business and marketing world as well as offers advice regarding fitness and nutrition. Whether you’re looking to start your own business, learn techniques for managing a work-life balance, or are simply wondering how to lose that Covid-19 weight, this episode is for you.    Chalene begins our discussion by talking about her early experiences in business and marketing and how she created her own businesses in order to pay her way through college. She then explains how after college, she took on a number of different jobs and passions before realizing that in order to find success, it was in her best interest to focus her attention in one area exclusively. So, rather than following her passion, she made the business decision to follow opportunity and channeled her attention towards fitness.    Chalene then shares with listeners that while her fitness empire brought her incredible success, it began negatively impacting both her health and marriage because of a lack of a work-life balance. Therefore, in order to salvage these things, Chalene and her husband ended up selling their business and began devising a number of boundaries and guidelines for themselves and their work. While Chalene explains it was difficult to learn to stick to these boundaries and how to find self-value outside of work, these are what ultimately helped her and her husband to establish a healthy work-life balance.   Chalene explains that while she is largely known for fitness, her skill set lies first and foremost in business and marketing. She shares with listeners advice on leadership, finding and maintaining strong energy throughout the workday, company culture, and the importance of helping those you’re working with feel important.    Finally, Chalene brings our discussion to a close by talking about her latest weight-loss program, Phase It Up, an online program that gives participants the structure to figure out how they’re supposed to be eating in their unique life moment and how their eating habits will need to change according to their different life phases. The program is designed to help people understand their diet and how to adjust it when needed.    In addition to discussing Phase It Up, Chalene also provides a number of insights into metabolism, why diets stop working, motivational triggers, and mindset. To learn more about these fitness and nutritional tips or about Chalene’s business and marketing advice, be sure to listen in to today’s episode!    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Podcast:  On today’s episode, you’ll learn more about the life and work of Chalene Johnson who shares with listeners insights into business and marketing as well advice regarding fitness and nutrition.    Helpful Links: To learn more about Chalene, her work, Phase It Up, or to listen to her podcast, check out her website at: https://www.chalenejohnson.com/   Follow Chalene on social media @ChaleneJohnson

Today I’m joined by Jamie Leigh Kreshock who serves as a partner at Cooley law firm, co-chair of the firm's worldwide M&A group, and is a co-creator of The Shift, a mindfulness app dedicated to meditation, alignment, and connection. Together, Jamie and I discuss her career path to becoming a business lawyer, the variety of tasks her job entails, and what life skills she has found to be most valuable to her success. Jamie begins our podcast today by informing listeners that her current career didn’t arise from some masterplan she always had. Instead, Jamie credits where she is today as being a result of her simply always looking to make the “next best choice” in her life. She explains that by giving herself permission to not worry about letting herself down, she was better able to stay in the moment and open herself to each new project and mentor that came her way.  As a business lawyer, Jamie works primarily with tech and life science companies that have given her a lot of experience with business management and counseling. In these positions, she fills a number of different roles, such as acting as a coach, investigator, and negotiator. Some of the companies she has worked with in the past include Uber, Tableau, Workday, Dropbox, Levi Strauss & Co., Procore, and more. However, she says that one of the most exciting deals she has ever been a part of was the selling of Lucasfilm to Disney.  When discussing the type of work she performs on a daily basis, Jamie tells listeners that when working with businesses, she often tries to act as more of a connector than a leader because companies tend to respond better when they feel like they are a part of the work. She credits this practice to her lifelong belief in teamwork, which she learned from her athletic experience as a rower in high school and college. Jamie explains that her core belief in teamwork is what has led to much of her M&A group’s success because when the group is sharing the same goals and mentality, the work gets completed more efficiently and effectively.  Jamie and I then end today’s episode by talking about what a typical day looks like for her. While she explains that there is no “typical day,” she does always make a point to integrate health and wellness into her daily routine, which she says helps her to become the best version of herself. This then leads us to discussing her app, The Shift, which her and her co-creator designed to help listeners begin practicing small habits to improve their mindfulness in a variety of life categories such as love, contentment, sleep, etc. To learn more about Jamie’s app as well as about the daily practices she finds most beneficial to her own work, be sure to listen in to today’s episode!  What You’ll Learn in Today’s Podcast: On today’s episode, you’ll learn more about the life and work of Jamie Leigh Kreshock, a partner at Cooley law firm, co-chair of the firm's worldwide M&A group, and co-creator of The Shift, a mindfulness app dedicated to meditation, alignment, and connection.  Helpful Links: Download and learn more about Jamie’s app, The Shift, here: https://www.the-shiftapp.com/ You can read more about Jamie and her law experience here: https://www.cooley.com/people/jamie-leigh

Today’s expert mentoring session is led by chef, mother, and entrepreneur, Maire Byrne, a woman with a passion for good food and good business. After completing her culinary program, Maire had the experience to open and work at new and upcoming restaurants in the San Francisco area where she also later became a founder, owner, and operator of multiple gourmet restaurants and catering locations in California.   Maire admits that she always loved to cook, but she didn’t begin her culinary career until after graduating college and moved to Pasadena, California to work as a caterer. However, she moved to the state of Colorado about a year later where she was influenced to apply to a two-year culinary school program in upstate New York.    After completing her culinary training, Maire experienced a dream come true when she helped open a new restaurant in San Francisco—something she recommends that everyone in the industry should try to experience for invaluable life and career lessons.        Although Maire enjoyed having the opportunity to open a few new restaurants within the San Francisco area, she also couldn’t pass up the chance to transition to a different role as a private chef for a family within the area. This is where she feels that she found her own personal style as a chef and had the room and resources to explore new foods and ideas in the kitchen.    Now, Marie owns and operates a cafe, a restaurant, a gourmet food-ordering service, and a full-service catering location, too. From dressing rooms, to cubicles, to the most beautiful homes in LA, Maire and her team can cook in—and for—them all. All of Maire’s locations uniquely prepare and deliver food to the customers, and each location will feature different seasonal dishes and specialties throughout the year as well.         Things You Will Learn You will learn about Maire Byrne’s culinary journey and transformation as well as how she juggles her roles of business woman, mother, and culinary expert.    External Links Check out Thyme Cafe and Market’s website: https://thymecafeandmarket.com/ Or Local Kitchen and Wine Bar: http://localkitchenandwinebar.com/

Today’s expert mentoring session is led by Tyler Nimmons, a CEO and creative director of a full-service and creative production agency, Front Runner Films. This mentoring session will focus on the simple steps anyone can take to create a fantastic video with a professional look that will tell your story and share your brand. Together, Heather and Tyler will discuss and share tips for curious listeners about how to blow up your brand.    As the CEO of Front Runner Films, Tyler is a jack-of-all-trades. He is passionate about tackling any and all jobs from all angles of the camera, and approaches each project with what he calls an artistic marriage between corporate and creativity. Tyler and his crew at Front Runner Films are masters of emotions while they work with clients to unlock their ultimate creative potential when creating unique and individual corporate and commercial films.       Even during the pandemic, Tyler and his team were able to deliver beautiful pieces to clients to share their stories, build their brand, and even share a little kindness to his clients on set, too. Front Runner Films’ crew takes great care to promote a comfortable, fun, and inspiring experience to all of their clients, and their care also extends to and is evident in the editing and post-production processes to perfectly reflect their clients’ brands as well.    Tyler also offers the listeners a few tips for curious and budding filmmakers or those who want to try their creative hand in the business of filmmaking. Whether you want to pursue filmmaking as a hobby or with an intent to launch a career, Tyler offers some of his experience and personal passions and shares some words of advice for all listeners of the podcast.        Things You Will Learn You will learn about Front Runner Films, its crew and culture, and how Tyler’s own personal creative processes fit into Front Runner Film’s overall mission and approach to creative design.    External Links Everything Front Runner Films is launching a new site: https://frontrunnerfilmsllc.com/   Or contact a team member: info@frontrunnerfilmsllc.com  Social Media Check out @frontrunnerfilmsllc on Instagram

Welcome back to the Mentors and Moguls podcast with your host, Heather Stone.  In a male-dominated automotive industry, some women are breaking the trend. Today, we’re talking about innovation, and our guests today are leading the way. Joining us is Paulette Avolio, who works in the autonomous vehicle division with Ford, and Stephanie Price, an application engineer with Promess Inc.    Although women make up almost half of the US labor force, they represent less than a quarter of the automotive workforce. Women held 23.6% of jobs in the industry in 2019, and in the same year, women of color made up an even smaller fraction of that. Women also only represented 17.9% of auto dealers and 9.9% of automotive repair positions in the US.    Paulette is innovating in ways that seem incredibly futuristic. By the time she’s retired, she says we will see autonomous vehicles. She’s working with a team that is focused on safety when it comes to innovated vehicles. She’s tackling how autonomous vehicles behave on steel bridges to ensure the safest, best product gets to the customer.    There is certainly room for women in the innovative space, Stephanie and Paulette agree. Stephanie points out how exceptionally good women are at taking in an incredible amount of information, analyzing it efficiently, and producing a result or answer. Both of these women started out breaking things, which is how they came to this experimental world they’re in today. There’s a hunger in the industry to include more perspective and experiences so that they can solve tomorrow’s problems with a wider view.    There are programs for women who are looking to get into the industry, and both Stephanie and Paulette are optimistic that more and more women will become innovators alongside them.    What you’ll learn In today’s episode, two women leading the way in the automotive industry sit down o talk about innovation, women in a male-dominated industry, and how important it is to include diverse perspectives in the workplace.   LINKS https://fordlabs.com/  https://corporate.ford.com/company/autonomous-vehicles.html https://corporate.ford.com/careers/diversity.html

Today I’m joined by the incredible Nancy Davis, who is the chairwoman of Race to Erase MS, founder of Cure Addiction Now, and designer of Peace and Love Jewelry. Nancy shares with us how her own multiple sclerosis diagnosis drove her to create a program that has single-handedly brought hope to those diagnosed with MS by funding research that has led to the development of new drugs for those with the disease. Together, we talk about Nancy’s inspirational work and the motivation behind each of her projects.    Nancy begins today’s episode by sharing with listeners her own experience of becoming diagnosed with MS and how in her search to receive multiple opinions about her diagnosis, she realized many of the best doctors in the country were all doing identical research but weren’t communicating with one another. Seeing the potential in what could happen if they did share their research with one another, Nancy founded the Center without Walls program, which has allowed medical professionals in the field to form a network and share their expertise. This program has revolutionized MS research and led to the development of fifteen drugs that are now on the market that can improve the quality of life for those with MS.    The Center without Walls program and Race to Erase MS organization are so important because they offer hope to those who otherwise may be facing a bleak future. Nancy explains that MS affects women three times as often as it does men and that it is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20-40, when most people are just starting to hit their stride in life. Not only does it affect a person’s health, but it can impact their career and their family, making the development of research that can improve someone’s quality of life incredibly life-changing.    In addition to talking about her work with Center without Walls and Race to Erase MS, Nancy also shares with us her latest project: Cure Addiction Now, a charity dedicated to funding research to find therapies for substance use disorder and help people not only detox but stay in permanent recovery from addiction. Nancy explains how this project was inspired by her frustration at seeing how wrongly those dealing with a drug addiction are often treated and at the lack of effective, affordable treatments available in the United States for those suffering from substance use disorder. Through Cure Addiction Now, Nancy not only aspires to create an affordable, easily available kit that can help people get sober on their own, but she also wants to change the narrative surrounding addiction that often shames those who are suffering from this horrible disease.   Nancy and I finish our discussion by talking about some of Nancy’s other projects including her Peace and Love Jewelry line and her book Lean on Me: Ten Powerful Steps to Moving Beyond Your Diagnosis and Taking Back Your Life. Despite her diagnosis, Nancy continues to live a full and very active life, something she says she achieves by keeping a positive attitude and being thankful everyday for her health, family, and friends and not taking what she has in her life for granted.   If you’re looking to hear more about Nancy’s inspirational story and work, be sure to listen in!    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Podcast: On today’s episode, you’ll learn more about the work of Nancy Davis, her organizations Race to Erase MS and Cure Addiction Now, and how they’re helping to create ground-breaking medical research in efforts to help save and improve the lives of those suffering from either multiple sclerosis or addiction.    Helpful Links: To learn more about Race to Erase MS, check out the organization’s website at: https://www.erasems.org/   Learn more about Nancy’s charity, Cure Addiction Now, at: http://cureaddictionnow.org/   Interested in checking out Nancy’s book, Lean on Me? Find it here at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GCFXR2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Want to purchase Peace and Love Jewelry by Nancy Davis? Find it here at: https://www.peaceandlovejewelry.com/

On today’s episode, we dive into taking a deeper look at the Digital Divas program, a STEM initiative founded at Eastern Michigan University that’s dedicated to introducing young girls to the STEM field. I’m joined by Skip Lawver, Paulette Avolio, Bia Hamed, Stephanie Price, and Katelyn Coberley, five of the program’s volunteers who sit down with me today to talk about the importance of the program’s work, why the STEM field needs women and greater diversity, and the benefits of a career in STEM.    My guests today begin by talking about the goals of the Digital Divas program. Not only is it designed to offer girls the kinds of hands-on experiences they don’t normally get in a classroom, but the workshops of the program are led by women with degrees in the STEM field who can then act as role models to the girls they are teaching. The group explains how diversity is key to their program and that because of this, they strive to bring in women of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities so that the students can see women who may resemble themselves.    The program is also dedicated to breaking the common stereotypes associated with the STEM field so as to help girls keep an open mind about the career opportunities they may pursue in the future. They explain that oftentimes girls have skills they don’t even realize that in the future could make them an excellent project manager, developer, computer programer, etc., and Digital Divas helps its students explore these possibilities and develop the self esteem and confidence to pursue them.    Not only do those involved with Digital Divas see the program benefiting its students, but they also see it as critical to the future of the STEM field as a whole. They discuss that currently only about 20% of the degrees in the STEM field are earned by women but that the perspectives of women are critical when it comes to designing and creating everyday products. Because of this, the field needs to be filled by people from a diversity of backgrounds so that together they can approach problems from various perspectives and come up with the best and most innovative solutions.    For those who may be interested in pursuing a STEM career of their own, the Digital Divas team talks about the variety and abundance of opportunities the field offers, how many STEM companies are extremely supportive of their employees and their passions, and how you can often start working in a STEM career even while still completing your degree. While critical thinking and problem-solving are two of the key skills taught in the STEM field, the team explains that to begin in the field, it is most important to just be curious and persistent.    To learn more about the Digital Divas program and its workshops or the promising opportunities available to those pursuing a career in STEM, be sure to listen in!    What You’ll Learn in This Podcast Episode: On today’s episode, you’ll learn more about the Digital Divas program, a STEM initiative founded at Eastern Michigan University that’s dedicated to introducing young girls to the STEM field and helping them to develop a passion for the work.   Helpful Links: To learn more about the Digital Divas program, be sure to check out its website at: https://www.emich.edu/digitaldivas/index.php

Do you have a fantastic product, but you’re looking for the right branding company to get your product out there? Or do you have a passion for marketing and elevating the voices of others? If so, join me for today’s episode, where I talk with Liz Dennery, a brand consultant, creative director, and founder of SheBrand. Bringing her 20+ years of experience in branding, marketing, and public relations to the table, Liz shares with listeners tips on branding, how to launch a re-brand, and how to give your brand a compelling voice.    Liz begins our conversation by talking about how she discovered her passion for her work. She explains that through the philanthropic and volunteer work she was involved in, she realized she was most motivated and fulfilled by helping to give women and girls a voice and teaching them how to use it more powerfully. With this revelation in mind, she created SheBrand, a creative brand consultancy dedicated to elevating the voices of women.   For listeners who may be interested in marketing or branding work, Liz offers advice on the best ways to first enter into the fields, specifically addressing the importance of internships and how they can offer valuable, practical experience. She also recommends reaching out to those in the business you’re interested in working with and to not be afraid of asking for a meeting or conversation. She explains that getting a job in the marketing field often requires more than just sending in one’s résumé, emphasizing that persistence and enthusiasm can often go a long way.   Liz and I then move into talking more about the work she’s involved in and what she’s learned from her work in branding. She discusses the importance of taking the time to start with a brand’s foundational work first, asking her clients to consider who am I, what do I stand for, what is most important to me, why am I doing this work, and why should people care about it? By taking the time to answer these questions, an individual or company is then better able to create an effective message when communicating with an audience.    Finally, Liz and I discuss the differences between individual or personal brands and those of bigger companies or corporations, her advice for digital influencers, and her thoughts on re-branding. Above all, Liz stresses the importance of connecting to one’s audience, whether that means allowing for one’s brand to evolve or openly communicating in the event of a crisis. To learn more about these strategies and Liz’s expertise, be sure to tune in!    What You’ll Learn in This Podcast Episode: In today’s episode, Liz Dennery offers listeners advice on branding, re-branding, and best communicating with one’s targeted audience. She also offers tips to those looking to enter the marketing field, suggesting strategies for how they can best get their foot in the door.    Helpful Links: To learn more about Liz and SheBrand or to get a copy of her book, check out her website at: https://shebrand.com/   You can also follow Liz on Twitter or Instagram: @SheBrandLiz

Are you passionate about filmmaking, or have you ever dreamed about becoming a part of the film industry? If so, then join me on today’s episode of Mentors and Moguls featuring my guest Janet Grillo. Janet Grillo is a critically acclaimed filmmaker, Emmy Award winning producer, and former studio executive. She’s most known for her work directing the award winning film Jack of the Red Hearts; writing, directing, and producing the critically acclaimed film Fly Away; and for working as an executive producer for the Emmy Award winning HBO documentary, Autism: The Musical. She currently works as a full time Arts Professor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Kanbar Institute of Film and Television. Be sure to listen in as together Janet and I discuss her career in the film industry, how the industry has evolved over time, and what the future looks like for women aspiring to go into filmmaking.    Janet begins our conversation today by explaining how she began her path into the film industry, discussing her beginnings at New Line Cinema when it was first starting out and how she was then able to grow along with the company. She explains to listeners that in the film industry, technology, form, and content are all closely linked together so that with the advent of video, an entirely new market opened up, creating a new revenue stream that then allowed for more movies, such as independent films, to be made.    In addition to talking about how technology has evolved over the last several decades, Janet also discusses how the environment for women within the film industry has changed over time. She explains that while she has always dedicated herself to promoting female-driven films and stories, for many years, their work just wasn’t being received because it was assumed there was no audience for such projects. Because of the Me Too movement and other cultural shifts, however, she finally sees this changing and is optimistic that the momentum will continue forward in the industry for women.    Janet ends our talk today by explaining the need for all of us to continue cultivating a cultural context that supports the dreams of girls aspiring to pursue film so as to offer them the support required for them to be successful. She also offers advice to any listeners who may want to enter the filmmaking industry and some tips on the best ways to begin this journey.   What You’ll Learn in This Podcast Episode: On today’s episode, you’ll learn about Janet Grillo’s career as a filmmaker and her insight into the film industry. She shares with us how filmmaking has changed over the last several decades and how this evolution has impacted both the stories being told today as well as who is telling them.   Links: You can learn more about Janet Grillo and her work and filmography at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0342037/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm  and  https://tisch.nyu.edu/about/directory/film-tvs/1711293371

Today I’m joined by Bia Hamed, the Program Director of Digital Divas at Eastern Michigan University, and Alan Gomez, the Executive Director of the Mr. October Foundation. Together, we talk about the recent collaboration between their two programs, their dedication to introducing young girls to the world of STEM, and how such an initiative can have a wide-reaching community impact.    Bia and Alan discuss why STEM afterschool and summer camp programs are so effective when it comes to young children and how they encourage children to embrace their inquisitive nature and take a hands-on approach to learning. They also talk about their commitment to introducing more young girls to the field, explaining how currently women make up a huge portion of the workforce and community yet continue to go unrepresented. To correct this problem, their programs are hoping to show girls the opportunities that are out there and introduce them to some basic tools that are key to succeeding in the STEM field.   Both Bia and Alan are excited for their collaboration, explaining that it’s a program built for scale and growth. They encourage those in other communities who might be interested in recreating this program to take that initiative and reach out to them for advice on how to begin.    Be sure to listen in to learn more about the types of projects the Digital Divas and Mr. October Foundation are exploring with their participants and how they are inspiring those children who will one day be our future innovators.    What’ You’ll Learn in This Episode: On today’s episode, Bia Hamed from the Digital Divas series and Alan Gomez from the Mr. October Foundation sit down with me to talk about their recent collaboration and dedication to introducing young girls to the STEM world, an initiative they believe will create a significant community impact.   Links: https://www.emich.edu/digitaldivas/ https://mroctober.org/

This episode, we’re talking with Loretta McCarthy, managing partner of Golden Seeds. Golden Seeds is an angel investment firm that focuses on building up women entrepreneurs and bridging the gender gap in capital investment. Loretta tells us more about her company and how it got started, and how raising capital and starting out as a female entrepreneur has changed in the last couple decades. For example, in 2003, only 29% of companies in the US were owned by women. In 2017 that number is now 40%, which represents a big change in a short amount of time. More and more women are taking the plunge and using their education, grit, and entrepreneurial spirit to solve problems and build industry.  We also discuss what it takes to be a professional woman in the world today. Having grown up in all-girls’ schools, Loretta experienced the contrast between being a valued contributor with an equal voice, to seeing how she could be undervalued and overridden in a coed environment, simply because she was a woman. Loretta shares some tips for how to get ahead in business as a woman, not only working longer and harder, but also smarter. Loretta advises women who are striving to succeed in business to learn as much as they can early on, and to lean on the support of key people around them.  In addition, Loretta shares how being a woman can be an advantage in business. In her investment firm, she and other angel investors frequently rely on intuition and emotional intelligence to gauge an applicant’s chances at future success. Not only is it important for these applicants to understand their business’s numbers backwards and forwards (even if that means bringing in outside help) but they also need to know how to influence the vision of those around them, practicing leadership and nurturing skills in numerous outlets before they start their business.    Things You Will Learn You’ll be amazed when you hear about the discrepancy between funding that female vs. male entrepreneurs receive for their startups, as well as how it’s changing for the better. Loretta also shares some specific insider tips about how to make your voice heard as a woman, including getting advanced social support for your ideas, and learning to be the person that key decision makers want in the room during important discussions.    Referenced Links  Go to https://goldenseeds.com/ for advice, funding, or to become one of Golden Seeds’ angel investors. You can also reach out by emailing info@goldenseeds.com or follow their blog: https://blog.goldenseeds.com/.

Are you ready to climb that next rung on the corporate ladder but are hesitant when it comes to asking for a promotion? If so, tune in to today’s episode where I speak with Lisa Petersmark, an experienced executive who shares her secret formula when it comes to getting and giving promotions as well as offers her personal advice on how to get ahead and be a leader in a business career.    Lisa comes from a competitive sports background and explains how that has contributed to her competitive edge when it comes to business. A challenge for her isn’t a roadblock but rather an opportunity to overcome it and make something new happen. She explains that this mindset is what creates strong leaders and that if you believe in something passionately enough, you don’t need to have a title to take the reins and demonstrate how you think it’s best to proceed.     Lisa also encourages listeners to create for themselves the environment that they need to thrive. She recommends surrounding yourself with people who will challenge you, support your goals, and ultimately make you better. Furthermore, she explains the benefits to allowing yourself to be uncomfortable and how this creates growth. She also addresses why it’s important and even advantageous to be willing to ask for help when it’s needed.    Lisa and I then discuss the hesitation many people – especially women – experience when it comes to asking for a promotion or raise. Lisa assures listeners though that if you can make an argument for why you think you deserve a promotion, then you should definitely step up and ask for what you believe you deserve. She explains that staying silent will not allow you to move forward in your career and that asking for a promotion makes clear to your boss what your goals for your future are and, at the very least, allows you to begin the conversation as to how to start achieving them.    For more on Lisa’s career experiences, hiring and promotion secrets, and advice on becoming a stronger employee, be sure to listen in to today’s episode!    What You’ll Learn in This Podcast Episode: On today’s episode, Lisa Petersmark offers advice on how to put yourself ahead in a business career, the benefits to a competitive attitude, and the secrets behind getting and giving promotions.    Follow Lisa on social media:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/lpetersmark?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisapetersmark/

Today’s expert mentoring session is led by Nicole Austin, a general manager, distiller, and craft spirits expert at Cascade Hollow Distilling Company. Although she was originally an environmental engineer from New York, traveled as far as Ireland and back, Nicole is now located in Tennessee and dedicates her life to crafting whisky.    Nicole admits that the appeal of whisky first came from its “rockstar image,” however, once she became hooked on the science behind making the whisky, as well. Specifically, the distillation process. Her curiosity and passion for whiskey distillation lead her to the interesting history of George Dickel and his connection to the heritage of the beginning of the American distilling during the mid-1800s.    Recently, Nicole and the Cascade Hollow Distilling Company were awarded Whiskey of the Year and Distiller of the Year. She even created her own bottle for the company, too. Nicole is the creator of the original George Dickle Bottled in Bond whiskey bottle that helps keep Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.’s commitment to quality, honestly-produced whisky. She created this with the purpose to show people that George Dickel deserves to also be recognized as a respected figure among other great bourbon distillers.    At the time Nicole was trying to enter the field of craft spirits, there was not a lot of advice or literature about how to get into the industry, however, she pushed through and networked until she eventually became a founding president of the New York State Distillers’ Guild in addition to also serving as a founding board of directors of the American Craft Spirits Association.  As a woman within the industry, it is also important to Nicole for other women to see that women know that it’s possible and that women are aware that this type of job exists and that it is completely possible that you can do it, too. Nicole gives some advice to listeners who are seeking employment, or who may be a woman or a minority who feels like they do not have a place within this field and industry, or who are looking to gain more access to it.    Things You Will Learn You will learn about innovation in blending, chemistry, and whisky at Cascade Hollow Distilling Company with craft spirits expert, Nicole Austin. You will also learn about the whisky industry as well as some of its historical background, too.    External Links Check out the distillery’s website: https://www.georgedickel.com/tennessee-whiskies/bottled-in-bond

Have you ever dreamed of being a nightly news anchor and wondered how to put yourself on that path? If so, then join me on this episode of Mentors and Moguls featuring my guest Shelby Bracho, a weeknight news anchor who shares with us her tips and pathway towards success on the network news scene. Listen in as she pulls back the curtain on a day in the life of a reporter, the best ways to get a foot in the newsroom door, and the most rewarding aspects of her job experience.   As someone who was at first resistant to a career path in news media, Shelby explains how her entrance into the field began with a random media class she enrolled in that made her slowly fall in love with the work. From this class, she received her first internship in the news and met her mentor Tanya Hart. Because of this beginning, Shelby recommends that everyone take advantage of all opportunities put in front of them because you never know where they will lead you.    Shelby discusses the challenges of working in the news industry such as its non-stop nature, competitiveness, and how critical people can be of news anchors, noting that women especially are put under a magnifying glass when it comes to their appearance. However, she explains that the best way to overcome these trials is by remaining calm and blocking out the noise so you can stay focused on the core of the job: telling people’s stories, which she has found to be the most rewarding aspect of her work.   Shelby shares that from her experience in the field, she has found that people are ultimately more similar than they are different. She believes reporting and interviewing help to connect a community and is work that not only shares information but can also offer emotional comfort and foster stronger human connections.  For those who may also be interested in a career in the news field, Shelby discusses what a day in the life of a reporter is like, noting that there is no typical day. Instead, you always have to be ready to roll with the punches and adapt. She also offers career advice, emphasizing that the most important step to landing a job is putting together a strong newsreel to represent you and your work. She then recommends sharing this on social media, especially LinkedIn, where you can follow all of the major media companies and begin making connections with news directors. She additionally suggests subscribing to tvjobs.com, which is a website where all news jobs are posted.    If you’re interested in a career as a news anchor or reporter, tune in to today’s episode of Mentors and Moguls to hear more about Shelby’s personal journey and the day-to-day as well as long-term advice she offers for those looking to enter the field and step in front of the camera themselves.    What You’ll Learn in This Podcast Episode: On today’s episode, you’ll learn about the life and career path of weeknight news anchor Shelby Bracho. She shares with us what to expect from a career in front of the camera, the best ways to enter into the news field, the most rewarding parts of reporting, and more.    Links: Follow Shelby on social media @shelbyonthemic Twitter: https://twitter.com/shelbyonthemic?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelbyonthemic/

On this expert mentoring session, Catherine Testorf shares her story about how she combined her professional background with her personal passions to form her current career as an art dealer and mentor for women artists. Catherine is the founder and director of InSight Artspace, an interactive art business, as well as a co-funder of Sohotel Artspace Gallery located in New York. She sees art not only as an investment but also as sees it as a bridge of cultures around the world. Today, she is helping emerging female artists spread their message through the medium of art.   What is unique or different about her style of showcasing artists within a gallery setting? Insight Artspace is, as Catherine says, ‘’out of the white box,” as it gives access to art for everyone. Within her gallery space, she wants to give people a spatial experience that is completely unique and display art in a non-traditional fashion where she brings the art to the people. Catherine wanted to shake up the concept of the arts and says it is easier for people to have a more intimate connection with the art in this style of format where the audience can connect deeper with the artists and their work.    Catherine explains that supporting women artists was a natural move or transition for her into her current career. She likes having connections with the artists and she finds it also very important to her to support fellow women artists as they experience various imbalances within the field of art and gallery culture. Even though more than 60% of artist students are currently women, only around 30% of these artists are displayed within a usual established gallery or museum.   During Catherine’s transition from Switzerland to New York was initially hard, but she took art classes where she was inspired to combine her professional career in finance with her passions for art and fashion. Even when times were tough, Catherine pushed through because she was confident that she had might the right choice for her life.   Catherine also shares some advice to listeners who may want to become involved in art dealing or learn more about the business side of art. She admits that the first artist she collected was actually a woman, and she still continues to collect art from many different female artists when she connects to the art right away. She said she does not know why she connects so much with women artists, but she does know that she connects very deeply with this type of art. It is also very rewarding for Catherine to see artists grow and gain interest from investors through exposure.   Above all, Catherine wants listeners to know that people are capable of anything if they continue to work hard and never give up. Even if you need a little push to get started, she believes that the payoff is worth the initial anxieties or mixed feelings that inevitably come with change or making a hard decision.   Things You Will Learn In this session, you will learn:  Who Catherine Testorf is, what she does, and why she is passionate about art Advice for becoming an art dealer or for those interested in art Why Catherine transitioned her career to become an art dealer and mentor who supports fellow women artists External Links Sign up for the newsletter on the InSight Artspace website: insightartspace.com   Social Media Follow Catherine on Instagram: @insightartspace   Art available online through Artsy: https://www.artsy.net/insight-gallery/artists   Also through Kooness: https://www.kooness.com/galleries/insight-artspace

Our guest today is Isaac Morehouse, founder of Praxis, a startup apprenticeship program, and the CEO of Crash, the career launch platform. He talks to us today about the current education shift in our country, the declining value of a college degree, and what employers are really looking for in the people they hire. Join him and Heather as they confront the societal pressure to attend college, encouraging listeners to think deeper about the decision and the career path that is most efficient and inspiring for them.   Heather and Isaac begin the show today discussing Isaac’s passion for freedom and how he views it as the ability for someone to choose their own challenge. He explains that everyone struggles with hardships in life, but choosing which hardships we spend our time and energy engaging with for a deliberate purpose is a form of freedom. Once people can begin shifting from the mindset of what they “have to do” to the mindset of what they “choose to do,” they gain more freedom and autonomy over their own lives.    Isaac shares with listeners his personal journey towards becoming an entrepreneur and the unconventional path he took by following the mantra: “Don’t do stuff you hate.” He tried a multitude of different jobs, moving on whenever he began to realize he was hating what he was doing. This path kept leading him towards more autonomy to pursue his own vision until he eventually was inspired to create Praxis.  The idea for Praxis emerged from Isaac’s own frustration with his college experience and the inefficiency of the time, cost, and classes. He talks about how he found the courage to pursue the project because he was willing to fail just to see the results he discovered. Ultimately, Isaac’s work has led him to realize that people today need to switch their mindset when it comes to preparing for a career. The traditional path of going to college, getting a degree, putting that degree on a resume, and then being rewarded with a job is no longer a reliable model. Instead, Isaac explains that you need two things when entering the workforce: the ability to create value and prove it. By realizing this, those searching for a job can begin getting creative in the way they pitch themselves to employers.    Isaac discusses how the college degree has declined in value over the years, but he does recognize the social value it can have especially for parents and how many students end up attending college just to prevent disappointing them. From here, Heather and Isaac turn to how the current Covid-19 pandemic has allowed those who might have been freshmen to take a gap year without that traditional stigma and use it to stop and question the value of college and investigate other alternatives.    Isaac ends his conversation with Heather by sharing tips for how to become a better employee and set yourself on a path to get ahead. Tune in to hear more about his strategies for getting noticed by employers and how to always stay employable.  What You’ll Learn in This Podcast Episode:  On today’s episode, you’ll learn about some of the benefits to choosing an alternative career path that doesn’t involve a college degree but can still land you the job you want. Isaac Morehouse shares with listeners what he’s learned through his work with Praxis and Crash and how to communicate to employers your value as a potential employee through initiative and creativity.    Links: https://isaacmorehouse.com/

Our guest on the show today left a budding acting and modeling career in Hollywood, and has chosen a more simple life; living and working as a ranger and rhino activist in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Now, Lee-Anne Yammin is an author, actress, and activist, and operates "Our HORNS are not medicine!" to draw public awareness, care for Rhinos and confront poaching activity. Lee-Anne is one of only a few women Park Rangers, pioneering a male-dominated industry and blazing a new trail for women all around the world.    Lee-Anne shares her background, starting when she decided to leave her career in modeling and acting to travel the world, and eventually landing in South Africa, about 200km north of her family home. She left a glamorous life for the mud, sweat, and tears. When Lee-Anne started working as a Ranger, she had never known any other woman doing the job. For the first five or so years, she was the only woman Ranger at her workplace.    The area Lee-Anne works in has a deeply-rooted culture with assumptions and stereotypes that come with gender roles. She recalls being told she belongs doing laundry, not training to become a Ranger, an example of interactions she has had to continually deal with since she began. Lee-Anne responds with laughter and explains that those sorts of comments show more about the person saying them than those they are speaking about.    Lee-Anne believes we are all one with nature, we just need to trust that. In her work, so describes a beautiful thing that happens when she goes on Safari. They come into a lion pride’s area in a noisy truck, only to be met with indifference--and that’s a good thing. Observing and basking in an animal’s natural state is the best thing anyone could ask for, as far as Safari goes. There is nothing stopping them from jumping in the jeep except trust.    These safaris are often a transformative, life-altering experience. Lee-Anne shares a story of a woman on her honeymoon, but her husband passed between their wedding and the trip. They made a list of things they’d love to see while they were in Africa, and every couple, all strangers, joined in to help her get through the list. Often, these people build a therapeutic comradery that is shaped by vulnerability--they’ll go home and remain lifelong friends.    Lee-Anne discusses some lessons she has learned from the natural world and the animals that live in it. For her, resilience is an incredibly underused trait that we all have inside us. She wishes we allowed our kids to get dirty and worry less about the little things. It’s about the times when they’re outside is when really formative moments happen. Tenacity is learned in those years, and Lee-Anne compares us to the animals she watches: they do what they need to do without manipulation. If they need to hunt, they will hunt. Even with broken limbs, animals will continue to keep moving. It’s worth considering moments where we have the opportunity to push through.    Lee-Anne talks about her books and what inspired her to be an author. In 2018, Lee-Anne was married to her husband and they decided they would do a round-the-world trip together. The thing was, they’d have to leave their current jobs. Truthfully, they were ready for a break, so even without the money, they did it anyway. At the same time, Lee-Anne knew she always wanted to write a children’s book. Not only did she write one book, but she published two at the same time. There were no guaranteed sales, but she knew she was passionate about educating children about the wildlife she’s worked with.    Lee-Anne’s mentor is one you may not expect--it’s not a family member, it’s not a friend, in fact, it’s not even a person. While she had people she looked up to showing her the ropes with her NGO, her true mentor is a Lioness she’s followed for almost 10 years. She’s done more for Lee-Anne, she says, than any person she’s met. She has taught Lee-Anne the value of tenderness from the way she cares for her cubs; she’s taught her patience in the way they forgive cubs for blowing a hunt, hours long; and so much more.    Of course, this hasn’t all come without any challenges. From the start, Lee-Anne was independent by necessity. She was orphan as a child but was thankfully given another chance, and she has since dedicated herself to not wasting a second of her life. Her resolve is always found in nature--the rawness of it is healing.    Tune in to hear even more about Lee-Anne’s incredible journey and the lessons she’s learned from her time in the bush.    What You’ll Learn   On today’s episode, you’ll learn the importance of trusting in your passions and following them unabashedly. Lee-Anne shares with us what she’s learned from living by this set of values and all the incredible moments she’s experienced during her journey.  LINKS https://ourhornisnotmedicine.com/ https://www.instagram.com/annie.africa/ https://www.instagram.com/ourhornisnotmedicine/

Have you ever considered a career in entertainment? Do you daydream about becoming a producer? What makes game shows fun? Now that we’ve been at home for some time in quarantine, daytime TV has become a bigger part of our lives. Our guest today is Michelle Newman, an entertainment and television consultant, and former executive. She’s here today to pull back the curtain on some of our favorites--what goes on behind the scenes? How does network TV actually work? She’ll answer all of these questions and more in today’s episode of Mentors and Moguls.   Having worked on a number of game shows, Michelle offers some insight. For game shows, there are many different aspects to consider: the games themselves (producers are constantly coming up with new games), the prize pool, and arguably most importantly, the contestants, who can be a wildcard. Selecting them a learned skill! In fact, the same man has been selecting contestants for The Price is Right.    Selecting new shows for daytime Network TV is a rare occurrence. But when it does happen, the available timeslot is blasted out to the TV world. From there, production companies will offer pitches via phone and email. Then, they’ll talk you through what the show would look like and executives discuss what would and wouldn’t work. When they’ve come to a conclusion, budgets are discussed, and pilot episodes are filmed, one per show, just like they were in full production. Once the episodes are finished, they host a viewing for the Network, where they’ll provide feedback and eventually select a show. Normally, it takes about a year to develop a show for the air, but Michelle has done it in half that time.    When they’re searching for a game show host, there are a lot of things to keep in mind: keeping the game running, knowing the rules, keeping the contestant involved, and they have to be funny! That’s part of why comedians make some of the best game show hosts. It’s not an easy job. For talk shows, authenticity is number 1. People do not buy phony celebrities anymore--they see right through it.    Being an executive requires certain qualities to thrive in an environment like daytime television. First and foremost, Michelle says, is your attitude. You’re going to be working hard for long hours with a plethora of people. You’ll have bosses, you’ll be the boss, and everyone has to play their part. Nobody wants to be around a Debby-downer or someone who talks negatively about others. Your work ethic is another massive component. Being the person who shows up first and leaves last is essential. Don’t try to toot your own horn, but if you did something good, make sure your boss knows.    Behind the scenes, Michelle talks about some tips she’s learned. If you have a celebrity you love, she says don’t meet them! You may be disappointed in some cases! She shares an experience she had where a friend of her’s idol ended up being short and generally unkind. All that glitters is not necessarily gold!   With the creation of new streaming platforms, the course of production has certainly changed. One thing that has changed, especially for writers, is how freeing it is to not have to follow a network formula. There are fewer restrictions on number of episodes, run time, cliffhangers, etc.   Michelle experienced a serious setback in the form of a serious brain hemorrhage. She had just been hired as an executive and was in a high-stress environment when the vein burst in her head. However, she recovered and realized the importance of not sweating the small stuff. This allowed her to become a better manager, meeting people where they were instead of acting as a larger-than-life figure. The incident knocked her back into reality and got her clear on what is important in her day-to-day.    Tune in to hear more of Michelle’s story from the “other side” of daytime television!   What you’ll learn   On today’s episode, Michelle Newman shares with us stories from the production side of daytime television. She fills us in on what it takes to become an Executive, what goes into building a show, and more.    LINKS https//www.thenewmid.com The New Mid podcast  Private Facebook Group: The New Mid

Today on the show, Heather is sitting down with Natasha Case. She’s the creative mind and entrepreneur behind a multi-million dollar business. Join Heather as she chats with Natasha about how this millennial with a passion for architecture turned foodie shifted from the drafting table to the freezer.   Natasha works today as the CEO of Coolhaus, creating new products, designing merchandise and packaging, running the marketing department, building new relationships, and innovating ideas that keep Coolhaus on top of its game as zealous expansion continues. Natasha has been named Forbes 30 Under 30 for Food and Beverage, and Zagat 30 Under 30 in New York City.    Coolhaus is the largest super-premium, women-founded and lead ice cream brand. They’re known for their novelties like sandwiches and unique pints, such as Street Car Churro, and dairy-free options. They started from ice cream trucks that had to be towed to an appropriate location, and from there they have grown into an incredible company and brand.    Natasha attended UC Berkeley for her undergraduate studies, where she majored in Architecture and double minored in City & Regional Planning and Italian Studies. She furthered those studies at UCLA where she pursued a Masters of Architecture, and after graduating worked as an architectural intern at Walt Disney Imagineering in Hotel and Master Planning. During this time, she started baking cookies and making ice cream, naming the combinations after famous architects and architectural movements. She had also just met her wife Freya, who was helping her make the product behind the scenes along with putting numbers to the concept as a business model.   Natasha admits you have to be a  bit mad to get into the industry she is in, but she believes in how different her company is. The way they have built their brand a Coolhaus, their grassroots vibe, and unbelievable passion sets them apart from other ice cream organizations.    Heather and Natasha talk about social media’s influence on the growth of their brand. Much of it is attributed to the timing, according to Natasha. They launched just as Twitter was gaining momentum, in fact, it was the first place they were talked about after an appearance at Coachella. In a way, they grew up alongside social media and developed a branding strategy as the climate matured. The visual brand Coolhaus and Natasha have is intentionally bright and unique--something necessary in this industry.    Looking back, the most difficult challenge Natasha has faced lies in the ‘business’ hurdles that need to be overcome in the food industry. The pace at which you scale and evolve, the financial side of things, and your team’s composition all play a big role. Additionally, there was a lot of age and gender discrimination, but Natasha and her wife, Freya, view it as a net positive.   The two most rewarding things throughout Natasha’s career are deeply rooted. The first is having a product that brings joy to people--something she lives for. The special moments her product creates are the reason she continues to go on. Secondly, Natasha truly loves what she does and enjoys learning as she goes. When you have fun working, you work harder. Fun and hard work are intertwined.    The label “Certified Women-Owned” is a really clear way to communicate your mission to your audience. In a world full of distractions, a meaningful gesture like that can mean a lot.    Natasha and Heather discuss what Coolhaus is doing to help during the COVID-19 pandemic, how important their message is in their branding, and the passions involved with building a successful brand. Listen in to hear more!   What you’ll learn Natasha and Heather discuss what Coolhaus is doing to help during the COVID-19 pandemic, how important their message is in their branding, and the passions involved with building a successful brand.   LINKS https://cool.haus/

If you’ve ever experienced a disruption in your carefully planned roadmap of life, this episode is for you. Today, we’re talking about the art of the pivot -- what to do when life throws you a huge curveball. Our next guest took her life-altering tragedy and turned her sudden floundering into flourishing. When Hilary Billings graduated top of her class at UNLV, the recession derailed her plans and dropped rejection square in her lap. She went on to carve out a new path that lead her to become Miss Nevada and an E! News Host and Producer. Join us as we learn how to turn rejection into rejoicing.    When Hilary graduated, she planned to become a clinical psychologist, but when she was applying for graduate schools, the recession of 2010 left her with 14 rejection letters. In reality, she had no backup plan. So naturally, she took off to Nicaragua and start a travel blog! For Hilary, this rejection allowed her to explore a new path that she would’ve otherwise never encountered.    A massive mindset shift Hilary had when she was faced with rejection was understanding that there are people out there to help you. Recognizing that togetherness can allow us to overcome even the most difficult obstacles. Learning how to rely on the kindness of strangers and understanding that there’s no need for competition -- no one is out to get you -- was Hilary’s method of finding her way after falling off her planned pathway to success. There is a lot of power in knowing what you need, and it’s even more powerful to ask for it. We’re averse by the vulnerability that comes with it, but the accountability that allows us to vocalize externally our internal needs changes the game.    During her travels, Hilary experienced a plethora of incredible, life-changing experiences. From taming a lion to walking on coals with the Firewalkers of Fiji, Hilary was able to get a grasp on what it is she really enjoyed doing and how she could use these experiences to fuel her confidence throughout uncertainty and change.    After her travels, Hilary returned to Las Vegas still internalizing what had happened. A friend of hers invited her to a party on a day where nothing seemed to be going right. At this party, a rogue firework hit Hilary, causing her to suffer 2nd and 3rd-degree burns on her chest. The burns were painful and took a toll on her mental health. 6 months later, she was hired for a modeling gig. After putting on a dress of hers, she saw her scars, and that was the breaking point -- no more feeling sorry, no more living in fear or shame. That same day, she signed up for the Las Vegas beauty pageant. She had a preconceived notion of the kind of woman at these events, but she immediately saw that all these people were experiencing their own troubles and were dealing with their own challenges. This place was a platform to share their stories and advocate for issues that impact them.    Hilary doesn’t subscribe to “fake it till you make it.” Trying to bridge the gap from who you are to where you want to be is a taxing, temporary, and harmful in the long term. When you’re doing this, you’re pretending to be something you don’t naturally identify with. It builds pretense to how people should act in the world. Instead, Hilary suggests gradually move to the middle of the confidence continuum. That will let you feel that confidence more authentically.    What you’ll learn On today’s episode, Hilary shares with us how we can pivot in the face of adversity and forge a new path when our original plan doesn’t pan out.    LINKS Hilarybillings.com