What if the path to historic leadership isn't about fitting in, but about being so rooted in who you are that you become a force for change?

In this episode of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, host Erica Rooney sits down with her friend, Heather Gray, the newly appointed VP and GM of Capitol Broadcasting Company's WRAL-TV and Fox 50. In a historic move, Heather is the first woman and the first person ever to unify the station's broadcast and digital platforms under a single leadership role.

Join them as they discuss Heather's journey through a male-dominated industry, the challenges and unexpected perks of motherhood in a 24/7 news cycle, and the critical importance of curiosity and self-worth in forging your own path to the top.

Inside the Episode:

• Making History: Heather shares what it feels like to be the first woman in a groundbreaking leadership role and the "mantle of responsibility" she feels to the women who follow her.
• Motherhood and Media: A candid conversation about navigating career momentum while raising a family in an industry built on demanding, non-traditional hours.
• The Power of Being "Different": Heather's insights on valuing her unique career path, which was not the "same as what came before," and how this difference became her greatest asset.
• You Are the Value: Heather's journey to becoming "so rooted in who I am" and why she no longer feels the need to prove her worth in the room.
• Raising Your Hand: The core value of curiosity and how asking questions—even when they're not well-received—has been a consistent track record of success.
• The Importance of Local News: A deep dive into why local journalism is a critical source of verified information and how it's adapting to a complex, connected world.
• On Mentorship: The story of a brave colleague who asked Heather to be her mentor and why taking on this role felt like a natural call to action.
  
  

If you're looking for inspiration to break through your own glass ceilings by fully owning your story and your unique path, this episode is a powerful guide.

🔗 Resources:

• Connect with Heather Gray and Erica Rooney on LinkedIn.
  
  

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What if the most critical skills for navigating the age of artificial intelligence aren't technical, but deeply human?

In this episode of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, Erica Rooney sits down with Dr. Felicia Newhouse, a visionary leader and the host and founder of the AI Powered Women Conference. With her work at Business to Human, Dr. Newhouse is a passionate advocate for a human-centered approach to AI, championing diverse voices—especially women—to be at the forefront of its development and application.

Join them as they explore the urgent need for women to engage with AI, the common "sticky floors" that hold them back, and how to use technology to amplify our unique humanity rather than automate it away.

Inside the Episode:

• The Catalytic Shift: Dr. Newhouse's personal journey from AI product executive to an advocate for human-centered technology, driven by a concern for burnout and the accelerating pace of change.
• The Macro Problem: Why designing AI through a lens of speed and extraction risks automating ourselves out of empathy and ethics, and why businesses that slow down to ask the right questions will ultimately win.
• A "Sticky Floor" for Women: Discussing a recent Harvard study that found women are adopting AI tools at a 25% lower rate than men, driven by imposter syndrome, tech intimidation, and a fear of being perceived as "cheating."
• Yesterday's Soft Skills, Tomorrow's Hard Skills: Highlighting why emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and resilience are the top skills for 2025 and why organizations need to start training for them now.
• AI and Ancestral Intelligence: The importance of anchoring ourselves in uniquely human qualities—like intuition, creativity, and compassion—as we leverage AI to amplify our work.
• The Future for Our Kids: Dr. Newhouse shares her concerns about the mental health impacts of technology on the next generation and identifies human-centered professions that are likely to thrive.
• The Antidote to Cheating: Actionable advice for women on how to use AI responsibly for brainstorming, delegating low-leverage tasks, and magnifying their unique brilliance without compromising their integrity.

If you're ready to move past the fear and uncertainty of AI and step into your power as a leader in this new era, this episode is your guide.

🔗 Resources:

• Learn more about the AI Powered Women Conference at aipoweredwomen.com.
  
  
• Connect with Erica Rooney on LinkedIn.
  
  

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What if the moments that make you want to shrink or disappear are actually your greatest opportunities for growth?

In this solo episode of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, host Erica Rooney gets real about the power of triggers. She reveals a truth that can transform your career: the discomfort, the hot face, and the gut punch you feel when challenged is not just an emotion—it's valuable data. When you learn to read and understand this data, you unlock one of the most powerful leadership tools in your arsenal.

Erica shares a personal story about a high-stakes training session and the feedback that initially triggered her deepest fears. By breaking down her own reaction in real-time, she illustrates how to turn those moments of discomfort into profound self-awareness, resilience, and unshakeable leadership presence.

Inside the Episode:

• The Trigger as Data: Understanding why your emotional reactions are not weaknesses to be suppressed, but powerful "post-it notes" from your brain telling you what matters.
• The "What If" Sticky Floor: Erica's personal story about a client feedback session that revealed her fear of "not being enough," and how she turned that vulnerability into strength.
• The SNAP Method: A powerful, step-by-step framework for turning gut-punch moments into gold:
  • Stop and Notice: The importance of pausing to observe your body's physical reactions.
  • Name the Trigger: How giving a voice to your fears—such as "not being enough"—helps you regain control.
  • Ask and Answer: The critical step of digging into the "why" behind your trigger.
  • Pivot: How to reframe the narrative from a perceived attack into a moment for growth.
• Building Unshakeable Presence: The link between self-awareness and better performance under pressure, faster professional growth, and handling feedback with grace.
• The Invitation to Grow: A call to action to see your triggers as invitations to grow, not signs of weakness.

If you're ready to stop suppressing your reactions and start using them as a roadmap for your growth, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Resources:

• Join Erica's private community, Her Collective, to get more tools like the SNAP method.
• Connect with Erica Rooney on LinkedIn.

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