From Miss Florida to sports history maker, Julie Donaldson has broken every barrier in her path.

In this episode, the trailblazing sports broadcaster shares her ultimate career blueprint, revealing how she transitioned from the pageant stage to the male-dominated sports newsroom & the exact skills it takes to survive and thrive at the highest level.

We take a deep dive into the psychology of success, why pageants are actually won "from the neck up", the valuable lessons in communication & competition she learned in the pageant world, & how mastering high-stakes communication changes everything.

Julie doesn't hold back on the dark side of ambition, sharing how she learned how to handle judgmental behavior, jealousy, envy, & cruelty from both women & men, & why deep-seated insecurity drives people to knock others down.

Plus, we tackle the biggest hot-button topics in sports today as Julie gives her unfiltered take on the Caitlin Clark WNBA controversies & the complex debate surrounding transgender athletes in women's sports.

If you are a young woman trying to navigate your career, this episode is your masterclass. Julie shares her crucial advice on finding your "Why," identifying your passion, the power of mentorship, and why relentless resilience will always beat raw talent.

🔹More About Julie Donaldson:⬇️

A pioneering figure in sports broadcasting, breaking gender barriers in a field traditionally dominated by men, Julie Donaldson recently served as SVP of Broadcast for the Washington Commanders as the first hire of change during a most tumultuous time for the franchise. Pivotal in helping change the culture of the NFL franchise, Julie also was a permanent member of the Commanders game day radio broadcast, making her the first female to be a regular on-air member of an NFL radio broadcast booth. This achievement led Sports Illustrated to name her one of the top 50 Most Powerful Women in Sports that year.

A vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry, Julie has over two decades of experience as a sports journalist, having worked in top U.S. markets like New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Miami, covering major events including four Olympic Games.

Julie is currently an anchor and reporter for WTTG FOX5 DC.

To learn more about Julie:⬇️

🌐juliedonaldson.com

🔹To connect with Julie:⬇️
X: @juliedonaldson_

Facebook: @julieannee

Instagram: @_juliedonaldson

TikTok: @juliedonaldson_

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In this raw & revealing episode, CNN anchor & correspondent, Carolyn Manno, pulls back the curtain on life in front of the cameras as she reflects on her career path, from South Bend, Indiana to New England, eventually culminating at NBC Sports & CNN – covering eight Olympic Games, five Paralympic Games, & a wide array of sports.

Carolyn shares her hard-won achievements, challenges she faced, her private insecurities, & the inner qualities that helped drive her success while opening up about how early self-reliance & the strong foundation shaped by her family who gave her the encouragement, independence, grit, & resolve to succeed.

Carolyn also discusses the mentors who believed in & helped her, the leap of faith she took when offered her job in Boston, & how the stakes were raised as she advanced in her career.

Carolyn talks about imposter syndrome, navigating a male-dominated industry, & how she tried to downplay & camouflage her femininity early in her career.

In addition, Carolyn chats about hosting the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show & the annual AKC National Championships, how much she loves working alongside her canine & human colleagues, & her admiration for the dogs she has met.

Finally, Carolyn discusses her professional future, the joy she has found in her work, & her work-life balance as a mom with a meaningful, fulfilling personal life.

🔹More About Carolyn Manno:⬇️

CNN Anchor & Correspondent

Having covered eight Olympic Games for NBC Sports, Carolyn was a CNBC host for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, an Olympic Channel host for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, an NBCSN host for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics & the 2016 Rio Olympics, a freestyle skiing reporter at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, a multi-event reporter at the 2012 London Olympics, & a studio/cable for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Carolyn also covered five Paralympic Games with NBCU.

In addition to hosting the America Kennel Club's (AKC) digital streaming platform & appearing occasionally on New York City's WNBC, Carolyn has also served as host for Big Ten Women's Basketball on Peacock and has previously worked across numerous NBC Sports events, including NFL, NASCAR, & horse racing.

Carolyn earned multiple first place awards from the Associated Press, including an Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Journalism.

🔹To connect with Carolyn:⬇️
X: @CarolynManno

Facebook: @carolynmanno

Instagram: @carolynmanno

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Recent studies show that 55% – 72% of American employees suffer from professional burnout, hitting a six-year high. And younger generations face the highest risks, with burnout afflicting 74% of Gen Z & 83% of younger Millennials.

In today's professional landscape, high achievers often find themselves "stuck", feeling unfulfilled & disconnected. Workplace disengagement costs the economy trillions, but the personal cost of misaligned talent is immeasurable.

As a tactical response to this widespread professional stagnation, certified John Maxwell coach & trainer Lyn Scales Gholston, discusses her passionate commitment to helping people stop settling for a job & start building a legacy. Lyn discusses the motivation behind her dedication for solving this global crisis & how she has incorporated her personal insights, experiences, & world-class leadership into the principles of her CLEWS Framework – a proven repeatable strategic roadmap/model to help people transition from burnout to entrepreneurship.

Lyn & I delve into her mission to guide entrepreneurs & professionals with clarity, empathy, & strategic foresight, helping them to rediscover work that matters to them & is aligned with their strengths, values, & gifts while elevating their potential by better aligning their careers with their core purpose.

To learn more about Lyn Scales Gholston:⬇️

🌐lynscalesgholston.com/

🔹To connect with Lyn:⬇️

Facebook: @LynScalesGholston

Instagram: @LynScalesGholston

To learn more about CLEWS:⬇️

🌐lynscalesgholston.com/clews.html

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NewsNation National Correspondent, former FOX News Channel weekend anchor of America's News HQ, & former HLN/CNN reporter/anchor, Elizabeth Prann, recounts her career journey spanning four of the nation's leading news networks.

Elizabeth and I discuss the evolution of media; the importance of agility & adaptability, meeting the audience where they consume their content; the impact of digital & social media on news coverage; & the role of podcasting in communicating with an audience.

We talk about politics; Spencer Pratt's candidacy for Los Angeles Mayor; geographical political changes & voting trends in states like Georgia & California; & whether Elizabeth brings her political perspectives to her roles as correspondent/anchor/reporter, covering political stories & breaking news events.

We also chat about the public's thirst for authenticity among both broadcast & social media personalities, why imperfection is the key to relatability & true connection, & the false, archaic stereotypes that can be assigned to successful women.

In addition, Elizabeth reflects on her experience as an MLB wife (whose husband Darren O'Day was a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, New York Mets & Yankees, & Anaheim Angels – now a color analyst for the Atlanta Braves Radio Network) & how they have tried to juggle both of their high-profile careers.

Finally, Elizabeth talks about life post-baseball; the changes as their children have grown & life has evolved into a new iteration; & how they've found fulfillment leading a real life of kids, careers, dogs, chickens; & giving back to their communities.

To learn more about Elizabeth Prann:⬇️

🌐newsnationnow.com/author/elizabeth-prann/

🔹To connect with Elizabeth:⬇️
X: @ElizabethPrann

Facebook: @ElizabethPrannMedia

Instagram: @ElizabethPrann

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In Part 2 of our conversation, former Fortune Global 500 executive, Maria Johnson, and I discuss the challenges faced by many young people & the skills women need as they embark upon their career journeys. We also address the critical importance of the people with whom you spend your time as you navigate the workplace & the influence of family of origin on professional success.

In addition, Maria reflects on her experience being bullied as a child & how it impacted her life & career path, fostering resilience, a strong will to succeed, & a desire for taking on "tough things" & winning. Standing at 4'11", Maria explains why her height (the source of the bullying she endured), ultimately became her "superpower".

Finally, we talk about work/life balance & whether that is even possible as well as the changes in the workplace culture for both women & men over the past 40 years.

🔹About Maria Johnson:⬇️

Retired Chubb Insurance Executive

Former North American Sales & Distribution Leader, Personal Risk Services

Before retiring in October 2025, Maria served as the North American Sales & Distribution Leader for Personal Risk Services, driving profitable growth across the US & Canada. Her primary responsibilities included leading & developing the Sales & Distribution team to achieve growth targets, implementing distribution tier strategies & agency/broker partner programs, creating & promoting adoption & measurement of sales initiatives & best practices in all regions, collaborating with internal teams such as product lines, underwriting, & field administration to reach division sales goals, as well as monitoring competitive landscapes, analyzing financial trends, & identifying new growth opportunities locally & regionally.

During her 33-year career at Chubb, Maria advanced through a variety of positions offering progressive career growth. Her special skills include strategic planning, project management, driving transformative change, improving individual staff & territory performance, pipeline management, sales execution, & employee development.

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property & casualty (P&C) insurance company, operating in over 50 countries.

🔹To connect with Maria:⬇️
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maria-johnson-07b77b18/

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In Part 1 of our conversation, former Fortune Global 500 executive, Maria Johnson, joins me to talk about her rise to the top, her early years working in a then male-dominated field, challenges she navigated, the mentors who helped guide her, & the core qualities & factors responsible for her success.

In addition to discussing the evolution of women's workplace culture, Maria delves into the essential characteristics & personality traits she looked for when hiring, why EQ is often more important than IQ, & the advice she imparts to women (& men) as they pursue a path to professional success.

🔹About Maria Johnson:⬇️

Retired Chubb Insurance Executive

Former North American Sales & Distribution Leader, Personal Risk Services

Before retiring in October 2025, Maria served as the North American Sales & Distribution Leader for Personal Risk Services, driving profitable growth across the US & Canada. Her primary responsibilities included leading & developing the Sales & Distribution team to achieve growth targets, implementing distribution tier strategies & agency/broker partner programs, creating & promoting adoption & measurement of sales initiatives & best practices in all regions, collaborating with internal teams such as product lines, underwriting, & field administration to reach division sales goals, as well as monitoring competitive landscapes, analyzing financial trends, & identifying new growth opportunities locally & regionally.

During her 33-year career at Chubb, Maria advanced through a variety of positions offering progressive career growth. Her special skills include strategic planning, project management, driving transformative change, improving individual staff & territory performance, pipeline management, sales execution, & employee development.

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property & casualty (P&C) insurance company, operating in over 50 countries.🔹To connect with Maria:⬇️

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maria-johnson-07b77b18/

🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️
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Veteran MLB All-Star Bip Roberts' 12-year Major League career spanned six MLB teams, including, most notably, the San Diego Padres as well as the Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals (playing in the 1997 World Series), Cleveland Indians, & Detroit Tigers. A second baseman & outfielder known for his exceptional speed & versatility, Bip twice stole over 40 bases in a single season.

In our conversation, Bip traces his MLB career over the years, reflecting on the most memorable moment of his life in the sport & the impact of his former Padres teammate Tony Gwynn on his baseball journey.

Bip shares memories of his close friend & former Oakland A's teammate Rickey Henderson, his shock when he first learned of his passing, & emceeing Rickey's Celebration of Life at Oakland Arena alongside former Oakland A's second baseman Shooty Babitt & San Francisco Giants former PA announcer Renel Brooks-Moon.

Bip reflects on the changing Bay Area sports scene & how the Golden State Warriors, Raiders, & Athletics all leaving Oakland has affected the city & its people. We delve into the immense importance of professional sports on urban youth & the specific vital benefits that sports offer to young people living in big city environments.

Bip & I discuss how his organization Better In Person (named after BIP), is committed to listening to & uplifting the people of Oakland, especially those at risk. Bip explains the wraparound services that they provide & the critical ways that Better In Person supports youth in navigating their educational journey & empowers them to stay on track & thrive, not just survive.

Finally, we talk about the role that faith plays in Bip's life & how it continues to guide him in his work, helping to enrich the lives of both youth & adults.

To learn more about Better in Person:⬇️

🌐BetterInPerson10.org

To connect with Bip:⬇️

📧biproberts@betterinperson10.org

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In Part 2 of my conversation with "Entertainment Tonight" co-host Kevin Frazier, Kevin reflects on his relationship with Prince and shares his memories of the musical legend, businessman, and friend he came to know.

Kevin and I discuss his deep appreciation and support for Memphis, the impact of Martin Luther King Jr.'s tragic passing on the city, and the civil rights legacy of MLK Jr. that continues to reverberate within the culture of the Bluff City.

And we talk about the importance of free speech not only in Hollywood, but in the nation at large, and what the future of Hollywood may look like.

To connect with Kevin:⬇️

X: @KevinFrazier

Facebook: @KevinFrazierOfficial

Instagram: @kevinfrazier

🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️ Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹