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!

What if the next big step in your career isn’t a title - but how you feel when you get there?

Join me as I sit down with Glenda Watry to explore the unique challenges women face in leadership roles and the importance of connection, mentorship, and personal evolution. Our conversation dives into how personal experiences shape professional paths and the necessity of creating supportive networks for women in the workplace.

You'll Learn:

⭐ The balance between ambition and authenticity in leadership
⭐ The value of mentorship and supportive communities
⭐ How to set boundaries and prioritizing wellbeing
⭐ The importance of defining your purpose beyond titles and achievements

Key Insights:

• Empowerment through Connection: Establishing strong, trusting relationships can enhance personal and professional growth.
• Navigating Challenges: Women often have to navigate a competitive landscape; finding supportive mentors can help avoid common pitfalls.
• Power of the Pause: Taking intentional breaks can lead to significant personal insights and better work-life balance.
• Defined Success: Redefining what success looks like on an individual basis is crucial for authentic fulfillment.

Timestamps:

• [00:00:01] - Introduction of hosts
• [00:02:50] - Glenda shares her current focus on supporting women in leadership.
• [00:04:00] - Discussion on loneliness in leadership roles.
• [00:09:02] - Glenda reflects on her pivotal career moments.
• [00:12:14] - The importance of listening to personal health and balance.
• [00:20:30] - Encouragement to rethink how to define success.
• [00:40:00] - Glenda shares her key takeaways for women navigating their careers.

Resources:

• Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com
• Explore Glenda's work at Glenda's LinkedIn Profile
• For inquiries, reach out to Kristin at Glenda@WatryVentures.com.

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!

Kind of a Big Deal is a podcast spotlighting women who are building meaningful lives, businesses, and legacies - on their own terms.

Hosted by Kristin Belden - strategist, advisor, and storyteller - each episode dives into the real conversations behind leadership and growth: the messy middles, the unexpected pivots, and the hard-won clarity that shapes what comes next.

If you’re a woman leader at an inflection point - or just love hearing honest stories about what it takes to evolve - you’ll find inspiration, practical insights, and a reminder that you’re not alone on the journey.

Hit subscribe and join us as we celebrate women who remind us that evolving into what’s next is not only possible... it’s kind of a big deal.