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Sharing stories from amazing leaders just like you and me. Breaking down myths of leadership, imposter syndrome & helping us all be braver. Step by step.
Episodes
Friday Feb 20, 2026
Friday Feb 20, 2026
Jodi Geddes is back - and a lot has happened since Episode 13.
Since we last spoke, Jodi co-built Circle In into a globally recognised workplace platform before navigating the weight of a confidential exit, three months offline with her kids, and the question every exited founder eventually faces: who am I now?
In this honest, energising conversation, Jodi opens up abo
ut the identity grief of losing the founder title, why she refuses to be called a brand strategist, and what she discovered building Brandiie from scratch - that personal brand was never really about LinkedIn. It's about confidence.
If you've ever hidden behind your title, waited for a crisis before thinking about your visibility, or felt the cringe of putting yourself out there - this one's for you.
Your brand is your career insurance. And the best time to start was yesterday.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Friday Feb 06, 2026
Friday Feb 06, 2026
Leadership is getting things done through other people. So why are so many brilliant leaders doing the work themselves?
In this reflection on the Women Who Understand Influence series, Melissa unpacks one insight from each of five leading researchers - and why the gap between what you intend and what actually lands might be the most important thing you're not paying attention to.
If leadership feels heavier than it should, this is essential listening.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
If you've ever been offered a promotion that felt smaller than your male peer's, or wondered why everyone loves working with you but you're still not getting the resources, this conversation explains why.
Professor Laura Kray's research reveals that society recognizes men through power but women through status - and this has real consequences. Even at identical organizational levels, men lead larger teams than women. And team size directly predicts compensation.
Professor Laura Kray is Professor at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and her research on debunking myths about the gender pay gap won a decade award for social impact.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
This conversation left me with a deep understanding as another piece of the jigsaw puzzle clicked into place. That feeling when something finally makes sense and you can start to see the solution.
The research is clear: Women are doing more of the "non-promotable" work in organisations, leading to burnout and being overlooked for promotions.
Professor Laurie Weingart and four academic colleagues formed The No Club - initially in response to their own challenges navigating their careers. Then they realised something much bigger was going on. Their research became the book "The No Club: Putting an End to Women's Dead-End Work."
Together we discuss: How do we help women reach and retain senior roles if we can't get off this merry-go-round of carrying an additional burden of work that doesn't lead to promotion?
This conversation should be compulsory viewing for leaders, for anyone focused on organisational design, and anyone passionate about accelerating women's careers.
If you're ambitious to make a bigger impact but can't shake the exhaustion, this conversation is for you.
Professor Laurie Weingart is Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory at Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business. This is a replay of Episode #113
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Friday Jan 16, 2026
Friday Jan 16, 2026
You don't need to tone it down or hide your competence. You need to add warmth.
Professor Alison Fragale's research shows that people want to work with those they both like AND respect. The Likeable Badass framework isn't about choosing one or the other—it's about having both.
This conversation is practical, research-backed, and empowering. Alison gives you a framework for being both respected and liked without apologising for either.
Professor Alison Fragale is an organisational psychologist and professor at UNC's Business School and author of the bestselling book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Friday Jan 09, 2026
Friday Jan 09, 2026
If networking feels transactional and icky, this conversation will change how you think about building influence.
Professor Rosalind Chow explains why status - not power - is the foundation of sustainable influence, how to network by being a conduit rather than a collector, and why becoming a sponsor is the fastest way to build your own network.
Professor Rosalind Chow is Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory at Carnegie Mellon University and author of The Doors You Can Open: A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Friday Jan 02, 2026
Friday Jan 02, 2026
If you've ever felt resistance where you expected buy-in, or wondered why certain relationships require more effort than they should—this conversation will give you language for what's actually happening.
Professor Jen Overbeck explains the gap between influence and coercive power, why leaders jump between them without realizing it, and how to audit your own influence patterns before they damage relationships you can't repair.
Professor Jen Overbeck is Professor of Management and Associate Dean for Research at Melbourne Business School and developed the Power and Influence curriculum for West Point Military Academy.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Can you clearly articulate the value you create - not just what you do?
Most leaders can't. They default to listing their responsibilities, their achievements, their resume. But that's not what gets you the next opportunity, inspires your team, or proves you're essential.
This week, I challenged a room of senior leaders with three questions that have defined my success at every phase, from my first role to leading 5,000 people globally to navigating the terrifying transition that came next.
These same three questions will change how you position yourself, lead your team, and move forward:
What's the true value you bring right now?
How do you make the work matter—and if you can't, why are you doing it?
If you're a product, what's your relevance to where you're going next?
If you've ever struggled to explain why you're essential, why your work matters, or how to position yourself for what's next - this episode will give you the clarity you need.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
Friday Nov 28, 2025
Friday Nov 28, 2025
Jill Schulman showed up to her first day of Marine Corps training in hot pink polka dot shorts and matching pumps. A senior Marine told her she'd never make it. She became the top-performing officer in her class.
Now a keynote speaker and author of The Bravery Effect, Jill breaks down the research on why waiting until you feel confident means waiting forever. She shares studies on stress mindset, self-efficacy, and why the kindest thing we can do as leaders isn't removing challenges - it's helping people meet them.
We talk about why she was terrified to write a book, the leadership mistake she made with her daughter that she now regrets, and what it really means to do the hard thing first.
If you've ever set goals too small to protect yourself from failure, this one's worth your time.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
Friday Nov 14, 2025
Friday Nov 14, 2025
Glen told me to "get back in the kitchen" under one of my videos last week. I don't know Glen..
I could turn off the comments. Block him. Move on.
But here's what I can't stop thinking about: Glen has a job. He works with people. Maybe manages people.
And if he's comfortable saying that where I can see it, what's he doing in the spaces where I can't?
The eye rolls. The knowing glances. The pointed silences that are designed to be deniable.
In this episode, I'm getting real about what these moments actually do to us as leaders - and the choice we're all facing about whether to make ourselves smaller or show up anyway.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership