The Cost of Ambition in the Age of Innovation with Dr. Naketa Ren Thigpen

Most systems focus on output, not connection. On this episode of Balance Boldly, we explore why innovation that ignores intimacy comes at a high cost. “We’ve made it normal to disconnect from ourselves just to stay relevant,” but that disconnection costs far more than it returns.

If innovation erodes your relationships, it’s not true innovation. “Growth that breaks trust isn’t strategy, it’s avoidance.” Intimacy is more than a romantic notion, it’s a practical and foundational tool for ALL of the relationships you create, from the bedroom to the boardroom. Being present helps you lead better, make smarter decisions, and scale with integrity.

This episode is for leaders ready to embrace connection as a core driver of sustainable success.

Follow the BBP here on this app for bold, authentic conversations that empower you to build impact and balance on your own terms.

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Where Balance Meets Brilliance and Intimacy Fuels Innovation.

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Innovation is leading the way but intimacy remains essential. On this episode of Balance Boldly, host Dr. Naketa Ren Thigpen explores the true cost of ambition in today’s fast-changing world. As Dr. Thigpen says, “The world rewards motion. But the overachievers I work with are tired of spinning.”

This conversation explains why ambition that costs your peace or your people is simply too expensive. From optimizing relationships to building strong relationship infrastructure, this episode is for founders and leaders who are done pretending. Balance Boldly exists because success without self is a lie. These are real conversations about creating lives and businesses that energize you instead of draining you.

If you’re trying to balance the demands of innovation with the need for real human connection, this episode delivers clear, honest insights so you can lead with heart and sanity. It’s time to stop paying for ambition with your peace of mind.

Key themes include:

• How to balance innovation with intimacy in leadership
• Rethinking ambition beyond constant motion
• Practical strategies for growing relationships in business and life
• Candid talk for imperfect, courageous founders and leaders

Follow the BBP here on this app for bold, authentic conversations that empower you to build impact and balance on your own terms.

Want to dive a bit deeper into the ThigPro Community?

Enter ThigPro Quo

Where Balance Meets Brilliance and Intimacy Fuels Innovation.

Subscribe: https://rebrand.ly/ThigPro-Quo

In this episode of the BBP, host Naketa Ren Thigpen chats with Ashley Stanford, a digital marketing consultant and freelance expert with over 15 years of experience. This episode explores Ashley's path from career burnout to achieving balance and fulfillment. She discusses using tools like Danielle Laporte's "The Desire Map" to identify core desired feelings and the importance of setting clear boundaries in personal and professional life. Ashley shares her wisdom on juggling multiple roles, including being EVP of Client Strategy at TicketSocket and the VP and co-founder of Ice Cream Social, without losing oneself. The conversation is inspiring and practical, making it a must-listen for ambitious individuals seeking harmony.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Ambitious women's goals and responsibilities.

09:42 Embracing temporary sacrifices for future freedom.

11:35 Overcoming setbacks leads to significant achievements.

14:34 How boundaries enhance productivity and mental well-being.

18:24 Navigating life changes: parenting, avoiding burnout.

23:29 Prioritizing personal joy and self-care first.

More about Ashley Stanford

Meet Ashley Stanford, a digital marketing consultant with 15+ years of experience! She excels in creating strategic marketing plans and optimizing tactics, primarily in the events & entertainment sector, with additional expertise in healthcare and fintech. Ashley is the EVP of Client Strategy at TicketSocket and Vice President and Co-Founder of Ice Cream Social, a widget that enhances websites by driving word-of-mouth marketing and gathering valuable first-party data. Supported by Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech since 2022, Ashley's extensive background in digital marketing roles equips her with unmatched skills in customer acquisition, email, search, and content marketing.

Follow Ashley Stanford:

Ice Cream Social Website: https://icecreamsocial.io/

TicketSocket Website: https://ticketsocket.com/

Ashley LinkedIn: ashcline

Personal Note from Naketa:

The conversation doesn't stop here, come chat with me over on @naketarenthigpen Substack.

I take you deeper with unfiltered reflections, the behind-the-scenes thought process, and the real-world application of everything we unpacked here.

Pull up a chair, pour a cup (or glass, no judgement here) and let's talk work, life, love, growth, (and) how to sustain it without losing your mogul-in-the-making mind.

More on the BBP:

Introducing Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women in Business (and a few brave men) with Naketa Ren Thigpen—a transformative podcast for founders & leaders who believe that building a legacy is as much about WHO you build it with as HOW you build it.

Unlike our latest amazing podcast, The Lazy Overachiever Show, which challenges norms around self-care and growth strategies, Balance Boldly, dubbed the BBP, emphasizes the deep connections and intentional work-life balance and relationship management strategies that form the foundation for lasting impact. Amplifying the power of intimacy by demonstrating how success in the boardroom is deeply intertwined with the energy you cultivate in your personal life.

On this show (and) in Naketa's everyday life, she's sharing how prioritized mental health with non-negotiable boundaries and strong relationship health help to collapse time, while rippling joy across generations....