In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Meghan French Dunbar, founder of Conscious Company Magazine and author of This Isn't Working, for an honest conversation about burnout, identity, and defining success on your own terms.

After founding and scaling a nationally recognized media company, and serving as CEO for years, Meghan found herself exhausted, disconnected, and questioning the very definition of success she had worked so hard to achieve. What followed was a period of deep reflection that transformed how she approaches leadership and personal fulfillment.

Meghan explores how traditional leadership models have been shaped by masculine ideals and how many women have been conditioned to believe they must adopt these traits to succeed. Meghan shares insights on what she calls the "half-leadership trap", the tendency to value only one side of leadership while overlooking the strengths that qualities often viewed as feminine bring to the table. She discusses why the most effective leaders embrace both masculine and feminine traits, blending decisiveness and ambition with empathy, collaboration, and intuition to create a more balanced and authentic approach to leadership.

ABOUT MEGHAN FRENCH DUNBAR:
LinkedIn – Meghan French Dunbar
Website – Meghan French Dunbar
Book – "This Isn't Working: How Working Women Can Overcome Stress, Guilt, and Overload to Find True Success"
Podcast – Unbehaved
Instagram - Meghan French Dunbar
Tedx – Why Success Isn't Making You Have & How to Fix It

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Jinesha Jain, Senior Analyst and TEDx Speaker, to explore the hidden pressures that often accompany ambition and achievement. Despite advancing quickly in her personal and professional life, Jinesha realized that success had come with an invisible cost when her mother observed that she no longer carried the same smile she once had. That moment became a turning point, prompting Jinesha to reevaluate what true success and well-being really mean.

That realization led Jinesha to discover Bhramari pranayama, or "humming bee breath," a yogic breathing practice that helped her reduce stress, improve focus, and reconnect with herself. Together, Mary and Jinesha explore the importance of internal growth alongside external success, reminding women that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is pause, realign with what matters most, and care for ourselves while pursuing our goals.

ABOUT JINESHA JAIN:
LinkedIn – Jinesha Jain
Instagram – Jinesha Jain
TEDx – The Power of Stillness: How One Breath Can Break Burnout

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Dr. Alicia Newsome, functional medicine doctor, author, speaker, and advocate for helping women reclaim their health and their lives.

Dr. Newsome shares why taking time to pause and center yourself in truth can create the clarity needed to move forward with confidence. She introduces her Integrated Leadership Framework, a holistic approach that aligns your business, body, and beliefs/being so that every part of your life works together rather than competing for your attention.

Together, Mary and Dr. Newsome explore the importance of intentionally designing a life that supports both success and well-being, the challenges women face when they constantly feel the need to be strong, and how rest can become a leadership strategy rather than a luxury.

They also discuss Dr. Newsome's upcoming book, "Worthy of Rest," a Faith-Rooted Guide for the Woman Who's Tired of Being the Strong One and Ready to Lead Without Self-Sacrifice.

ABOUT DR. ALICIA NEWSOME:
LinkedIn – Dr. Alicia Newsome
Website – Dr. Alicia Newsome
Book – "Worthy of Rest" (coming 2026)
YouTube – Dr. Alicia Newsome

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Andrea Engstrom, CEO of BOLD Masterminds Coaching, about what it really takes to transition from building someone else's dream to building your own. Andrea shares practical advice for entrepreneurs on building a team, gaining clarity, and developing the confidence needed to take action and grow a business.

The conversation explores why confidence often comes after action, not before, and the importance of learning from others through conversations, mentorship, and shared experiences. Andrea also introduces the idea of finding your "freedom number," understanding your personal financial goals, and using a side hustle as a stepping stone toward full-time entrepreneurship.

Andrea encourages listeners to ask themselves what they are truly working toward and create a life that you don't need to escape from.

Andrea is the author of "Bold Confidence: Awaken Your Magnetic Magic, Take Bold Action, and Create the Business and Life You Truly Desire".

ABOUT ANDREA ENGSTROM:
LinkedIn – Andrea Engstrom
Website – Andrea Engstrom
Podcast – The Andrea Engstrom Show
Book - "Bold Confidence: Awaken Your Magnetic Magic, Take Bold Action, and Create the Business and Life You Truly Desire"

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Deanna Dolecki and Ashley Ruggeri from Blue Duck Agency about the ever-changing world of marketing, branding, and the importance of having healthy debates in the workplace.

For more than two decades, Blue Duck Agency has helped brands grow through innovative marketing strategies. Deanna and Ashley share how their team approaches marketing as more than just promotion, it's about building partnerships, understanding audiences, and creating long-term impact.

Mary, Deanna, and Ashley also discuss the importance of adapting to today's fast-moving marketing landscape and finding creative ways for brands to stand out in a crowded digital world. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply curious about modern marketing strategies, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration for growing your brand with intention.

ABOUT DEANNA DOLECKI, ASHLEY RUGGERI, AND BLUE DUCK AGENCY:
LinkedIn – Blue Duck Agency
LinkedIn – Deanna Dolecki
LinkedIn – Ashley Ruggeri
Website – Blue Duck Agency
Podcast – Ducks Unplugged

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Nicole Johnston, Founder of Innate Power and author of Taboo Topics: Things Women Should Talk About, But Don't, about the hidden rules of executive leadership and the conversations women are too often expected to avoid. From workplace sexism and perfectionism to burnout, menopause, financial stress, and the pressure to "have it all," Nicole shares why these topics deserve more open discussion.

The conversation also dives into the invisible dynamics of leadership visibility. Women often miss out on the unspoken networking opportunities that happen behind closed doors, on golf courses, or in informal gatherings where influence and relationships are built.

Nicole explains why promotions are often based more on leadership perception than simply completing tasks, and why women frequently find themselves carrying the bulk of non-promotable work.

Mary and Nicole also discuss the importance of building the right support system throughout your career: a coach who talks with you, a mentor who talks to you, and a sponsor who talks for you when opportunities arise.

ABOUT NICOLE JOHNSTON:
Website – Innate Power
LinkedIn – Nicole Johnston
Book: Taboo Topics: Things Women Should Talk About, But Don't

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Julie Ellis about her remarkable entrepreneurial journey, from co-founding Mabel's Labels to becoming an author, coach, speaker, and leadership coach focused on helping others create meaningful success.

Julie discusses the relationships and mindset shifts that often separate people who achieve big things from those who remain stuck. Through her methodology centered around systems, processes, and people, she explains why sustainable success requires more than hustle alone. The conversation also explores how entrepreneurs can identify roadblocks, evaluate whether they're spending their time wisely, and make intentional changes that move them forward.

As the author of "Big Gorgeous Goals," Julie also shares why we all need big gorgeous goals, the kind that feel exciting, uncomfortable, and even a little scary. Unlike the safe, tidy goals we know we can accomplish, these are the goals that stretch us, keep us awake at night, and challenge us to believe we are capable of more than we imagined.

ABOUT JULIE ELLIS:
Website – Julie Ellis & Co
LinkedIn – Julie Ellis
Book - "Big Gorgeous Goals" and "Big Gorgeous Goals Workbook"
FREE – CEO Bottleneck mini course

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Johanna Danaher, founder of Anchor to Aspire, for a thoughtful conversation on what it really means to lead with intention and energy leadership. Together, they explore human-centered design in leadership, starting with one simple but often overlooked skill: listening to understand. Johanna challenges leaders to go beyond surface-level responses (like "fine" aka feelings inside not expressed) and instead create space for honesty and connection.

They also dive into Energy Leadership, how you're fueled each day, how your energy impacts those around you, and why your emotional awareness is a leadership skill, not a weakness. Through tools like the Energy Leadership Index, Johanna helps leaders better understand the connection between mindset, emotion, and performance.

This episode is a reminder to slow down, embrace the power of the pause, and create intentional space for change. Because how you lead starts with how you show up.

ABOUT JOHANNA DANAHER:
Website – Anchor to Aspire
LinkedIn – Johanna Danaher

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless