What if everything we've been taught about expertise and leadership is wrong? Brand strategy veterans Elizabeth Talerman and Chelsea Carlson from The Nucleus Group challenge our obsession with expertise, revealing why being a "smart rookie" might be your greatest leadership asset. From their work with world-class brands to their own journey stepping into the spotlight, they make a compelling case for leading with questions instead of answers. 

Through stories of punk rock radio days and kitchen table revolutions, discover why curiosity trumps certainty and how embracing wonder could be the antidote to our increasingly rigid business culture. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome or questioning traditional thought leadership approaches, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on why not having all the answers might be your superpower.

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Want to become a thought leader? We want to interview you!

If you're interested in building up your personal brand, establishing a digital presence, or becoming a speaker, we want to interview you!

We’ll dig into your biggest challenges, fears, dreams and goals for your thought leadership journey and your answers will directly inform the curriculum for our upcoming thought leadership offerings. Reach out via our contact us page to let us know you’d like to volunteer. 

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The Way We Lead

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What if the secret to a magnetic personal brand isn't a viral social media strategy, but something deeper and more personal? In this "Mini but Mighty" episode, host Gaby Acosta reveals how to craft a personal brand so compelling it naturally attracts the right opportunities and audience - all by tapping into your unique values and purpose.

This episode is a roadmap for thought leaders seeking to make a lasting impact. Gaby guides listeners through a self-exploration workshop, demonstrating how your internal compass, when clearly defined, can transform your brand from merely visible to truly unforgettable.

Whether you're struggling to articulate your purpose or looking to refine your existing brand, this episode offers invaluable insights. Discover how to align your personal brand with your deepest convictions, creating a presence that's not just professional, but profoundly personal and irresistibly magnetic. Get ready to unlock the power of purpose-driven branding and amplify your impact in ways you never thought possible.

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

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For many historically underrepresented folks, our goals for influence and financial abundance are deeply rooted in concerns about survival. Kerrie Carden challenges this paradigm, urging us to shift our focus from mere survival to thriving – with the powerful insight that our success is inextricably linked to the success of our communities.

In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the world of social capital with Kerrie Carden, the dynamic Founder and CEO of Equip Advisory, a pro-Black, pro-queer, and feminist boutique firm revolutionizing financial planning, career, and business coaching. Kerrie unveils how social connections and influence can be potent catalysts for both personal wealth creation and societal change. She challenges listeners to radically rethink their approach to networking, allyship, and leveraging their platforms for good.

Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, an established leader, or someone passionate about creating meaningful change, this episode offers game-changing insights on harnessing social capital for individual success and collective empowerment. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and equipped with actionable strategies to amplify your impact and create lasting change.

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

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"Who am I to be a thought leader?" It's a question we hear from our highly qualified clients all the time.  

If you're struggling with self-doubt and impostor syndrome and it's holding you back from telling your story, you're not alone. 

In this tactical "Mighty But Mini" episode, host Gaby Acosta challenges the insecurities that plague many experts, especially those from historically underrepresented groups. She boldly asserts that Black and brown folks, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and people with disabilities (both visible and invisible) who are doing expert work every day are already qualified to tell their stories. No additional certifications or degrees required.

While the responsibility sits with decision-making leaders to diversify voices in events, media, and publications, trends seem to be moving backwards. If we wait for permission to take the spotlight, we'll be waiting a lifetime. 

It's time to take matters into our own hands! 💪

It's 2024—we have countless tools at our fingertips to share our wisdom in our own spaces and on our own platforms. 

Discover why your unique perspective isn't just valuable, but necessary in today's world. Learn how to redefine thought leadership and uncover the one factor that outweighs any credential. Through her own journey, Gaby shows you how to silence your inner critic and amplify your voice. It's time to step into the spotlight and lead the way. 

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

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• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Solomon

Are you hesitant to share your unique perspective in your field? You’re not alone. In this episode we sit down with Lola Adeyemo, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and founder of EQ Mindset and the nonprofit Immigrants in Corporate.

Lola shares her remarkable journey from business analyst to confident consultant and thought leader in diversity and inclusion. Discover how she overcame initial doubts to deliver a compelling TEDx talk that received high acclaim from not just the audience but the TED organizers themselves. Learn about the pivotal moments and support systems that propelled her onto the TEDx stage, led to publishing her book, and founding a thriving community for immigrant professionals.

You'll gain valuable insights on:

• Embracing your unique perspective in storytelling and thought leadership
• Overcoming self-criticism and perfectionism
• Building supportive networks to boost your confidence
• Transforming personal experiences into impactful content

Lola reminds us that our individual stories are our greatest assets.

Whether you're an aspiring speaker, a professional aiming to boost your thought leadership, or someone with a story to tell, this episode will inspire you to find your flavor and share it with the world.

Don't miss this empowering conversation about authentic storytelling and the power of embracing what makes you unique. 

Subscribe now to learn how to amplify your voice and make a lasting impact in your field!

Our Sponsor:
This episode is brought to you by the Amplify Your V.O.I.C.E. Podcast Accelerator program, delivered by co-host Gaby Acosta. This podcast launch program helps historically underrepresented leaders take actionable steps to take you from a brilliant concept to launching your first podcast season.

Resources Mentioned

• TEDx Talk: Belonging is not about fitting in. 
• Book: Thriving in Intersectionality: Immigrants, Belonging, and Corporate America
• Podcast: Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast

Connect with Lola

• Nonprofits Leading Change Membership 
• EQ Mindset
• Book Her as A Speaker
• LinkedIn

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

• IG: @newrealmcoaching
• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Solomon

Season 2 kicks off with a fresh look, sound, and mission as Gaby Acosta welcomes new co-host Elizabeth Solomon. Together, they're tackling a critical issue: the glaring representation gap in thought leadership. In this eye-opening episode, Gaby and Liz break down the systemic barriers facing underrepresented voices in academia, media, and beyond, setting the stage for a season dedicated to "amplifying & cultivating diverse thought leaders."

Get ready for weekly deep dives into the journeys of trailblazing thought leaders, packed with practical tips to transform your expertise into career-advancing content. Whether you're an aspiring influencer or simply hungry for diverse perspectives, this season promises to challenge, inspire, and equip you with the tools to make your voice heard. 

Tune in and join the movement to reshape the landscape of ideas!

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The Way We Lead

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Liz:

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• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Solomon

How do we ensure that all students feel seen and affirmed, no matter their identity? Founder of the Radical Maestra, Kathy Lebrón is on a mission to help educators, families, and students use education as a vehicle for healing and liberation. In this episode, Kathy provides tangible tools for teachers who want to invest in their own professional development around the topic of power, privilege, antiracism, and restorative justice. She also explains how educators can intentionally weave social justice curriculum into the classroom for students of all ages. 

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Liz:

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• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Solomon

In this week's episode, Gaby and Jenelle meet their shero, Reshma Saujani who is an award-winning Founder and CEO of national nonprofit Girls Who Code and author of the book “Brave, Not Perfect,” which transformed both of their lives. 

In fact, the book was so impactful on them that they both got "Brave, Not Perfect" tattoos to remind them that failure is merely a stepping stone to success. 

If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome, feared risk-taking, or felt marred with perfectionism, then this episode is for you! 

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

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If we want to be inclusive leaders at work and in our communities, we also need to be allies and advocates for those who experience mental illness.

In this episode, we are joined by two guest experts and advocates who are using nontraditional means to raise mental health awareness. First, we hear from Dr. Jonathan Singer, Associate Professor of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago and President of the American Association of Suicidology who leverages social media to make suicide and mental health research accessible. Next, we connect with Dior Vargas, a Latina Feminist Mental Health Activist who is working to make mental illness awareness more inclusive through a grassroots initiative called the People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project.

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

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Many companies wait until their business hits a period of high-growth or experiences a significant retention issue before investing in diversity and inclusion strategies, but startups can’t afford to treat D&I as an afterthought. We’re joined this week by Kellie Wagner, founder of Collective, a diversity and inclusion consultancy and research lab shifting how companies grow, engage, and retain diverse teams. Kellie outlines proactive tips that every business should use to avoid the pitfalls of what she calls “diversity debt.” We talk about managing across difference and discuss minimizing bias in the workplace by building operationalized processes for hiring, performance reviews and promotions. 

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The Way We Lead

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Liz:

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It’s so important for young people to have diverse role models in every field. This rings true to our most recent guest Charnelle “Cha” Quallis, who joins us to discuss diversifying the film industry, especially in the editor's room. While there is a recent proliferation of female editors in both fiction and non-fiction storytelling, the industry continues to lack representation from female editors of color. We talk about why we need more diverse decision-makers in the film industry, the importance of championing young talented editors of color, and we begin to tease apart some of the pervasive diversity challenges that continue to afflict Hollywood.

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Liz:

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People are most effective when they can influence their immediate sphere. This week’s guests, Marie Bigham and Steve Frappier focus on removing barriers in a field they've dedicated their lives to over the last two decades: post-secondary education. In 2016, they were part of a small group that launched ACCEPT (Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today), a nonprofit organization that empowers college admissions professionals to center justice, equity, and anti-racism in their work and communities. This episode is chock-full of learnings on the hidden superpower of being multiracial, how to practice cultural humility, and how to build meaningful and active communities who advocate for equity and access.

For more, check out S1E5 episode notes for full speaker bios, episode highlights, links to references, and for a fully accessible interview transcript.

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

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Innovation strategist and entrepreneur, Dalia Katan is leading the conversation on how diversity and human connection can unlock untapped growth for organizations. Dalia joins us to share her practical research-based tips for creating workplace environments that can reduce prejudice and improve social cohesion across gender, race, ethnicity, and political ideologies. We also start to ask what it looks like to be a champion for underrepresented folks when we have a seat at the table.

Check out S1E4 episode notes for full speaker bios, episode highlights, links to references, and for a fully accessible interview transcript.

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

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What happens when a member of your family or community is NOT a good ally or worse, completely rejects us for who we are? Our long-time friend and DC Center for the LGBT Community’s Board Co-Chair, Rehana Mohammed joins us to talk about her intersectional identities. She also shows us how being an ally can get messy when you live in a tight-knit community, and provides tangible tips for how to ask for allyship when folks in that community aren't quite getting it right.

Check out S1E3 episode notes for full speaker bios, episode highlights, links to references, and for a fully accessible interview transcript.

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

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We're high school sweethearts who are now married. We're both convinced that our relationship wouldn't have made it through the trials and tribulations of growing up over the last 15 years if it hadn't been for the tools that we learned in an after-school program called, "City at Peace." In this episode, we outline the community ground rules for The Way We Lead and give you a look into the experience that first provided us with these tools which have served us well, not only in our relationship but also in our work and every day lives.

Check out S1E2 episode notes for full speaker bios, episode highlights, links to references, and for a fully accessible interview transcript.

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The Way We Lead

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Liz:

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• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Solomon

If you're anything like us, you might feel overwhelmed by the inequality in the world, but feel unsure of how to take action.  We invite you to join us as we take off on a journey to become better allies. Listen in to get to know your hosts Gaby and Jenelle as they learn practical strategies from real-world leaders to actively advocate for underrepresented and marginalized groups.

Check out S1E1 episode notes for full speaker bios, episode highlights, links to references, and for a fully accessible interview transcript.

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For episode notes, guest bios, and more juicy stuff visit our website!

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The Way We Lead

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Gaby:

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Liz:

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