What if accepting a compliment could change your entire leadership trajectory?

Join me as I sit down with Gretchen Moore, Executive Director of Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation. We get into why accepting compliments might be your superpower - and why following someone else's playbook won't get you where you're meant to go.

Gretchen's career has spanned politics, community development, and nonprofit leadership - and at the heart of it all is a commitment to helping women lead with confidence and self-awareness.

You'll Learn:

⭐ Why women don't reach the same confidence as men until their 40s

⭐ The "green room" concept: Knowing which voices to let in

⭐ How to shift from constant doing to strategic leadership

⭐ The catcher analogy for understanding your natural leadership style

Key Insights:

The Compliment Superpower: Learning to genuinely accept compliments is a transformational skill that shifts how you see yourself and your impact.

The Confidence Timeline: Women often spend the first two decades of their careers building the confidence men enter with - but that delay creates wisdom, depth, and empathy that makes women in their 40s and 50s powerful leaders.

Your Green Room Matters: Not every voice deserves access to your inner circle. Being selective about whose opinions you internalize is essential to authentic leadership.

Authentic Leadership Over Playbooks: Following someone else's leadership style will always feel forced. The work is discovering and owning what makes you effective.

Send the Elevator Back Down: True legacy isn't just about your own success - it's about creating pathways and opening doors for the women coming up behind you.

Timestamps:

[00:01] - Introduction and the origin of "Kind of a Big Deal" series

[02:50] - The transformational moment of learning to accept compliments

[06:59] - Gretchen's career journey from politics to manufacturing

[13:56] - How Women in Manufacturing supports women in the industry

[16:18] - The confidence gap: Why women take longer to build confidence

[22:18] - Why 40s and 50s feel empowering for women

[24:36] - The Yates Academy concept and teaching leadership skills

[30:55] - The catcher analogy: Understanding your natural leadership style

[34:18] - The importance of knowing which voices to let into your "green room"

[41:06] - Shifting from constant doing to strategic leadership

[43:30] - Discovering your authentic leadership style

[49:42] - Building a legacy by sending the elevator back down

Resources and Links:

Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com. Sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter

Connect with Gretchen Moore on LinkedIn

Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation

CliftonStrengths

DISC Assessment

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What does legacy really mean? For some, it's the ripple effect of lifting others.

Join me as I sit down with fundraising expert Marni Mandell, who shares how uncovering her passions involving women's leadership, legacy, and chutzpah connected her back to her own grandfather's legacy.

As president of Tupperware, he inspired countless women to become entrepreneurs by truly believing in their potential. Through a year-long listening tour, Marni heard stories of women who transformed their lives from humble beginnings into successful business leaders.

You'll Learn:

⭐ The sometimes unseen impact of creating content

⭐ Why owning our strengths is critical to serving others

⭐ How authentic relationships fuel successful fundraising

⭐ The HOPE philosophy: Help One Person Every Day

Key Insights:

Legacy Through Empowerment: True legacy isn't about personal achievement -it's about creating pathways for others to discover and own their strengths.

The Power of Belief: Tupperware's innovative policies (including requiring husbands to support their wives' businesses) created a movement that transformed women's economic independence.

Strength-Based Leadership: The story of Franny - a woman who could confidently articulate her strengths - demonstrates how self-awareness shapes both individual success and organizational culture.

Authentic Fundraising: Building genuine relationships removes the fear of "no" and creates sustainable impact through connection, not transaction.

Content as Legacy: Creating content may feel invisible in the moment, but its impact compounds over time as it reaches and transforms people you'll never meet.

Timestamps:

[01:19] - Marni shares the story of her grandfather's legacy at Tupperware

[05:09] - How Tupperware empowered women to become successful entrepreneurs

[06:46] - The innovative company policy requiring husbands to join their wives' businesses

[12:41] - Kristin and Marni's shared experience of being diagnosed with ADHD at age 43

[15:36] - The story of Franny, a woman who could confidently articulate her strengths

[20:58] - How Franny shaped Tupperware's training program and influenced countless lives

[28:58] - Marni's journey into content creation and personal branding

[34:15] - The HOPE philosophy: Help One Person Every Day

[36:42] - Marni explains her work as a fundraising coach and her unique approach

[40:32] - What legacy means to Marni: empowering others and building community

Resources and Links:

Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com, or sign up for the newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter

Connect with Marni: www.friendraisingforsuccess.com or on LinkedIn

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Is your inner voice curious, kind, and supportive when things don't go as planned - or does it sound more like criticism and doubt?

Join me as I sit down with Kara Whittington, founder of WE INC. Marketing, to explore how embracing your authentic self can transform not only your business but your entire approach to life.

Our conversation digs into the importance of finding work worth doing, practicing self-compassion, and trusting that things will work out - even if not as you originally envisioned.

Kara has built a thriving business with intention and integrity since day one, now operating as a collective of majority women consultants with clients spanning the arts, culture, and social good. One of her secrets? Cultivating and practicing healthy self-talk and being incredibly intentional about her mindset.

You'll Learn:

⭐ How to build a business with intention from day one

⭐ Why work worth doing isn't always measured in money

⭐ The transformative power of changing your self-talk

⭐ How to practice self-compassion as a leadership tool

⭐ The art of letting go and trusting the process

Key Insights:

• People-First Business Model: Creating a sustainable business means prioritizing people over profit margins and building structures that support authentic collaboration.
• Self-Talk Transformation: The way you speak to yourself during setbacks directly impacts your resilience, creativity, and ability to lead effectively.
• Work Worth Doing: Making space for meaningful work - including unpaid passion projects - enriches both your business and your life in unexpected ways.
• Self-Care as Foundation: Taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's the foundation that makes everything else possible, including modeling healthy behavior for others.
• Intentional Growth: Building something meaningful requires constantly checking in with your values and being willing to let go of what no longer serves you.

Timestamps:

[00:01] - Introduction and reconnection

[02:41] - The power of expressing emotions and vulnerability

[04:28] - Kara's journey to founding her marketing collective

[08:53] - Creating a "people-first" business model

[11:45] - The importance of self-care as a foundation

[17:49] - Modeling healthy behavior for children and others

[20:24] - Making space for "work worth doing" beyond paid work

[23:38] - The transformative power of changing your self-talk

[28:44] - Catalysts for mindset shifts

[32:35] - The journey of getting to know yourself

[36:04] - Building a meaningful legacy

Resources and Links:

• Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com
• Connect with Kara Whittington on LinkedIn
• WE INC. Marketing

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

Join me as I sit down with Dani Bergstrom, founder of Fresnoland, to discuss her journey from urban planner to nonprofit journalism leader. Our conversation explores breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces, balancing motherhood with career ambitions, and the power of local journalism in empowering communities.

Dani's story is deeply personal - her mother gave up a journalism career under pressure from a strict religious community, but her eventual return to school helped shape Dani's belief in journalism as a tool for justice. Now, as a pioneer in the nonprofit news space, Dani is honoring that legacy while setting an example for her own children.

You'll Learn:

⭐ The importance of self-trust and personal autonomy in leadership

⭐ The role of journalism in fostering civic engagement and community awareness

⭐ How leading with vulnerability is more nuanced than it might seem

⭐ The generational impact of building a legacy through career choices

Key Insights:

• Breaking Barriers: Navigating male-dominated spaces requires both resilience and strategic boundary-setting, while maintaining authenticity and integrity.
• Motherhood and Ambition: Holding the demands of launching a business while raising children requires honest conversations about priorities and redefining what "having it all" means.
• Trust Your Gut: Leadership evolution often begins with learning to trust yourself and your decisions, even when facing external pressure or doubt.
• Local Journalism Matters: Community-centered journalism serves as a vital tool for civic engagement, justice, and empowering underrepresented voices.
• Generational Legacy: Personal experiences and family history profoundly shape professional missions - honoring past sacrifices while inspiring future generations creates meaningful impact.

Timestamps:

[00:00:23] - Introduction: Dani's journey from policy director to nonprofit newsroom founder

[00:03:50] - Dani's background as an urban planner and transition to journalism

[00:07:57] - The founding story of Fresnoland and pivoting during the pandemic

[00:14:42] - Balancing motherhood and career while launching a business

[00:21:39] - Dani's leadership evolution and learning to trust herself

[00:28:27] - Navigating gender dynamics in male-dominated workplaces

[00:38:54] - How Dani's mother's unrealized journalism dreams influenced her path

Resources and Links:

• Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com
• Fresnoland website
• Follow Fresnoland on Instagram: @fresnoland
• Fresnoland's weekly podcast Fresnolandia: Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
• Connect with Dani on LinkedIn:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

What if the best leadership decisions come from asking "what if it were me?"

Join me as I sit down with Laura Harmon, Chief People Officer, to discuss career growth, authentic leadership, and the importance of creating space for others. Laura shares her journey from IT to HR, how being a mother has shaped her leadership style, and why taking pauses can lead to greater intentionality.

You'll Learn:

⭐ The importance of financial literacy for women (and what "F-U money" really means)

⭐ The ripple effect of authentic leadership

⭐ How creating safe spaces has been a theme in both her personal and professional life

⭐ Why asking questions and embracing curiosity never gets old

⭐ How parenthood influences your leadership approach

Key Insights:

• Evolution of HR: Over 25 years, HR has transformed from administrative function to strategic partner, requiring continuous adaptation and learning.
• The Power of Pauses: Taking intentional breaks - whether in conversation or career - creates space for reflection and more thoughtful decision-making.
• Financial Freedom as Leadership Tool: Building financial literacy and having options gives you the power to make values-aligned decisions, especially when facing challenging workplace situations.
• Creativity in Professional Settings: Bringing creative approaches to traditionally structured environments can unlock innovation and engagement.
• Legacy Through Authenticity: True leadership legacy isn't built on perfection—it's built on creating space for others to grow, making mistakes, and learning from them.

Timestamps:

[00:00] - Introduction and background on Kristin and Laura's relationship

[03:00] - Laura's career journey from IT to HR leadership

[08:00] - How HR has evolved over 25 years

[13:00] - The power of asking questions and embracing curiosity

[18:30] - Using creativity in professional settings

[23:00] - How parenthood influences leadership approaches

[30:00] - The courage to make mistakes and learn from them

[36:00] - The importance of taking pauses and being intentional

[44:30] - Building a legacy through authenticity and creating space for others

Resources and Links:

Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com

Youth Leadership Institute (YLI)

Books:

• "Designing Your Life" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

• "We Should All Be Millionaires" by Rachel Rodgers

• "Financial Feminist" by Tori Dunlap

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

What if the best career move isn't finding "your one thing" - but taking continuous action even when fear creeps in?

Join me as I sit down with Polly Allen, who spent formative career years helping build Amazon's Alexa, and now shares her expertise by helping others get hands-on with AI. Our conversation explores her journey from being the only woman in the room to becoming a champion for diversity in AI leadership.

You'll Learn:

⭐ Why believing we have to find "our thing" can get in the way of progress

⭐ What it was like to usually be the only woman in the room

⭐ How only ~15% of AI researchers are women (and what she's doing to change this)

⭐ The power of taking continuous action even when it feels hard

Key Insights:

• Action Over Perfection: Taking consistent action, even when afraid, builds momentum and creates opportunities that waiting for the "perfect moment" never will.
• Breaking Barriers in Tech: Navigating male-dominated spaces requires resilience, but also creates a responsibility to open doors for others.
• The Myth of "Finding Your Thing": Success often comes from trying multiple paths rather than waiting to discover one perfect calling.
• Democratizing AI: Making AI accessible and understandable is essential for ensuring diverse perspectives shape its future.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Opening: The scariest pivot can lead to the most fulfilling work

[03:45] Polly's background: From software developer to Amazon Alexa product leader

[09:20] The first attempt at entrepreneurship and why it didn't work

[15:04] Why business growth is personal growth

[17:41] Action creates clarity: How to move forward when you're scared

[24:07] The listening tour that shaped AI Career Boost

[30:22] Being labeled "shrill" and the reality of being a woman in AI

[34:11] Breaking down AI Career Boost: Hands-on learning for product leaders

[36:53] Amazing student projects: From menstrual cycle workouts to recipe builders

[39:38] Building a legacy one person at a time

Resources and Links:

• Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com
• AI Career Boost
• LinkedIn: Follow Polly Allen for weekly newsletter
• Monthly Masterclass: "The Path to AI Product Leadership"
• LEAP Academy coaching program
• Lindy West's Shrill

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com. Let's continue to empower each

Think you have to be 100% ready to lead? Not so fast.

In this episode of Kind of a Big Deal, I chat with Monica Nainsztein - an accomplished entrepreneur and the driving force behind a global translation and localization company.

Our conversation dives into the challenges women face in leadership, the subtle power of recognizing one's accomplishments, and the importance of embracing our unique strengths.

Monica reminds us why it’s time to stop downplaying our impact, and declares why owning your wins is not just a confidence boost - it’s essential. Hear her story of growth, grit, and game-changing mindset shifts that helped her transform from hesitant speaker to empowered entrepreneur.

You'll Learn:

⭐ How to face your fear of public speaking
⭐ How mentorship can change the game

⭐ Why human connection matters more than ever in an AI-driven world

⭐ Why delegation might be a make it or break it decision for what you're leading

Key Topics Discussed

• Women in Leadership: Exploring how women often downplay their achievements and the cultural shifts needed to embrace their roles as influential leaders.
• The Nature of Success: Reflexivity on how societal pressures (like impostor syndrome) affect women's perceptions of success.
• Career Journey: Kristin's transition from subtitling for movies to running her own translation and localization company.
• Personal Growth: Kristin's experience in overcoming her fear of public speaking and her journey to becoming more confident in expressing her ideas.
• Localization Industry: Insights into how gaming and technology intersect in the translation field and the importance of human involvement in the localization process.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 03:15 – Discussion on the impacts of impostor syndrome among women
• 05:40 – Kristin shares her journey in the subtitling industry
• 09:15 – Kristin discusses her transition to entrepreneurship
• 15:50 – The importance of recognizing and voicing one's ideas
• 25:10 – Tips for overcoming public speaking anxiety
• 30:45 – Kristin talks about the future of her company and industry
• 39:30 – Building a legacy and prioritizing human connection in localization

Relevant Resources

• Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com
• Monica's Translation and Localization Company: [Link to Company]
• The Likable Badass by Alison Frigal
• Clifton Strengths StrengthsFinder
• Toastmasters

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

What if one of your toughest moments leads to the best thing you build?

Join me as I sit down with Réland Logan as we discuss her journey to entrepreneurship, the power of authentic branding and the importance of uplifting women in leadership.

We delve into the nuances of personal and business branding, the challenges women face in asserting their worth, and how to craft a unique voice in a crowded market. With plenty of laughs and a dash of candidness, Réland highlights strategies for creating a cohesive brand that resonates and draws true connections.

You'll Learn:

⭐ The power of LinkedIn in forging professional relationships

⭐ The importance of authenticity and clarity in personal branding

⭐ Strategies for women to embrace their accomplishments and leadership

⭐ The intersection of branding with operations and financ

⭐ Réland's unique multi-step approach to brand development

Key Insights

• Empathy in Branding: Brands should reflect authentic stories and personal experiences, allowing one's unique voice to shine through.
• Uplifting Women: Creating a culture of support among women leads to better leadership outcomes and a shared commitment to collective success.
• Cohesive Brand Strategy: Successful branding transcends aesthetics; it includes aligning messaging with operational goals and sales strategies.
• Fear of Self-Promotion: Women are often conditioned to downplay their accomplishments, which limits their potential impact.
• The Use of Humor: Infusing humor into the process of branding and marketing can alleviate stress and foster creativity.

Timestamps

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:05:30 - Discussion on Women in Leadership
• 00:10:15 - The Importance of Authentic Branding
• 00:15:45 - Reland shares her unique approach to branding
• 00:28:00 - Reland's business origin story during COVID
• 00:35:00 - Insights about legacy and impact
• 00:40:00 - Recommendations for developing personal brand strategy

Resources and Links

• Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com
• Connect with Réland Logan: LinkedIn
• Visit Réland's website: Gray Digital Marketing
• Listen to Réland’s podcast: The Luxe Leap

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!