In this episode, Desiree B. Sharpe welcomes Harvard Business School professor and NextGen Coach Network founder Archie Jones Jr. for a conversation about "leadership capital" and how it fuels everything from opportunity to impact. Archie shares his 5C framework and explains how leaders can uncover their strengths, use their background as an advantage, communicate with clarity, and build the kind of relationships that accelerate growth. They also talk through what it looks like to rebuild confidence after a setback, find mentors who truly invest in you, and why board seats are most often earned through networks, not applications. Archie closes with a "bright idea" for aspiring entrepreneurs that is a paradigm shift! This episode is for founders, people leaders, and ambitious professionals who want a grounded framework for building confidence and making smarter long-term career moves.

Connect with Archie:

NxGen Coach Network

His book - The Treasure you Seek

In this Bright Bite episode, Desiree B. Sharpe opens the year with a candid reflection on change, resilience, and what it really looks like to lead through uncertainty. She shares lessons from a year marked by both loss and growth, including becoming a mother, closing a business, and launching a new fintech venture, all while rethinking rigid goal setting in favor of faith, flexibility, and mental health. Desiree also unpacks trends she's seeing among small business owners, from cautious optimism and smarter cash management to the rapid adoption of AI and subscription tools that can quietly erode margins. She closes with updates on the podcast's return to a bi-weekly format and a powerful reminder about the role generosity and human connection play in sustainable leadership. This episode is for founders, small business owners, and leaders who are navigating transition, uncertainty, and growth while trying to build something meaningful without burning out.

Email Desiree at desiree@zjventures.co

In this episode of Bright Ideas, Desiree B. Sharpe sits down with Mark Albert, founder and CEO of Media Advisory Experts, to explore what it really takes for leaders to use their voice with confidence and credibility. Drawing on his 25 years in broadcast journalism, Mark breaks down why the same experts dominate media conversations and how business owners and people leaders can position themselves as trusted authorities without big PR budgets. The conversation dives into overcoming self-doubt, recovering from mistakes, and reframing visibility as a responsibility, not a risk. Mark also shares practical guidance on pitching expertise to journalists, navigating high-stakes or sensitive topics, and leading with authenticity in a noisy, validation-driven world. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and people leaders who want to amplify their influence, strengthen their leadership presence, and make their voice count.

Connect with Mark:

Website: https://www.mediaadvisoryexperts.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markalbertreporter/

Ultimate Media Pitch Checklist: https://bit.ly/MMEchecklist

Media Mastery Experts LIVE! (Next one April 23-26, 2026): https://www.mediamasteryexperts.com/live

Media Mastery Experts Coaching Community: https://www.mediamasteryexperts.com/coaching

Media Mastery Experts Catalyst Program: https://www.mediamasteryexperts.com/catalyst

Crisis + Strategic Communications Coaching: https://www.mediaadvisoryexperts.com/strategic-consulting

In this episode of Bright Ideas, host Desiree B. Sharpe sits down with Taylor Wilson, founder and CEO of Creative Schizzle, to talk about building scalable marketing solutions without losing the human side of leadership. Taylor shares her founder journey, the thinking behind Creative Schizzle's subscription-based model, and why accessible creative services matter so much for small businesses and lean teams. The conversation dives into timely topics like AI's role in creative work, leading with kindness, and how leaders can design businesses that support both growth and people. Taylor also offers thoughtful insights on sustainable leadership, personal boundaries, and what it really means to build a company you enjoy running. This episode is a great listen for founders, people leaders, and creative entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses thoughtfully while staying true to their values.

Connect with Taylor:

Website: https://creativeshizzle.com/

Upcoming Book: Reckless Kindness

Company Instagram: www.instagram.com/creativeshizzle

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tshank/

Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/gowithtaylor

In this episode, Desiree B. Sharpe sits down with marketer, agency founder, and podcaster Leslie Youngblood for a powerful conversation about building a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. Leslie shares how her eclectic career in New York advertising, fashion, chambers of commerce, and entrepreneurship shaped her leadership style and eventually pushed her to walk away from 80+ hour workweeks and chronic burnout. Together, they unpack the realities of the gender pay gap, why entrepreneurship can be a powerful path to wealth and autonomy for women, and what it really looks like to learn the "game" of money, taxes, and business instead of letting it happen to you. Leslie also talks candidly about motherhood, identity shifts, and giving yourself permission to evolve while still honoring your ambition. This episode is perfect for women entrepreneurs, people leaders, and high-achieving mothers who are craving more freedom, better boundaries, and a business or career that actually matches the life they want.

Connect with Leslie:

Youngblood MMC Website: www.youngbloodmmc.com/

Podcast Website: www.seriousladybusiness.com/

Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieyoungblood/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/youngblood-mmc/

Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serious-lady-business-the-podcast/about/

In this special year-end episode of Bright Ideas, Desiree B. Sharpe highlights five standout insights from guests who shaped the conversation on leadership this season. She revisits lessons on staying curious, understanding your numbers, choosing aligned opportunities, and leading with a forward-looking mindset. Desiree also explores how daily habits and intentional self-reflection can shift both culture and career direction. Each moment offers a practical takeaway for leaders preparing for the year ahead. This episode is perfect for people leaders, founders, and anyone wanting to grow with more clarity and confidence in the new year.

In this episode of Bright Ideas, Desiree B. Sharpe sits down with Michael Vajda, Managing Director at Elevate Global US, for an honest conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and building resilient teams in today's shifting economy. Michael shares how running his own boutique agency shaped his leadership style, why "getting things done" is the most underrated career strategy, and what it really took to transition back into a corporate role after a decade as an entrepreneur. They dive into intergenerational dynamics at work, the realities of hiring in a turbulent market, and practical ways leaders can build trust through communication, consistency, and genuine human connection. Michael also opens up about parenthood, empathy, and the importance of directing your energy toward what actually matters.

This episode is a great fit for people leaders, founders, and anyone navigating career transitions or looking to strengthen their leadership approach.

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://weareelevate.global/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvajda/

In this episode, Desiree sits down with Kathy Bremer, managing director at Boardwalk Consulting and author of Headhunter Confidential, for a deep look at what it really takes to build a meaningful career in a volatile job market. Kathy shares the lessons she's learned across five distinct career chapters and explains why mindset, self-awareness, and clarity are still the strongest tools job seekers have, especially in an era dominated by AI screening and automated hiring systems. Together, they unpack the "unwritten rules" behind landing roles that align with your strengths, values, and long-term goals. The conversation also highlights how genuine relationships, warm introductions, and thoughtful employer branding can transform both sides of the hiring experience. This episode is a great fit for anyone navigating a career transition, supporting a team through rapid change, or looking for real-world strategies to land work that feels purposeful and energizing.

Connect with Kathy:

Managing director at Boardwalk Consulting

Author of Headhunter Confidential

Contact Desiree if you'd like to speak to Kathy