Priya Sam is the Host & Founder at Unleash Your Voice, where she helps ambitious women in six-figure corporate roles who struggle with being overlooked and undervalued to step into undeniable executive presence and unlock the promotions, visibility, and compensation they truly deserve. Her signature Power Story Framework is a key part of all of her programs as she helps her clients build their personal power story banks, strategic communication skills, and confidence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

→ The subtle communication habits that make you sound more junior—and how to break them immediately

→ The ELITE Communication Formula: a five-step system for shifting from entry-level language to powerful leadership storytelling

→ Practical strategies for aligning your personal brand with the impact you deliver, so leaders and decision-makers recognize your true value

Want to download the full formula + additional tips? Grab it here: https://priya-sam.mykajabi.com/tef

📝 Free Masterclass – Power Story Playbook: Join Priya’s FREE Power Story Playbook Masterclass on November 19th, 12pm EST.

Learn proven techniques to craft your foundational Power Story—the single narrative that can unlock your next promotion, raise, or job offer. The women who join are amazing, it’s live, and it’s 100% free.

Sign up with the link below or DM “POWER STORY” to Priya on Instagram on LinkedIn for direct access!

→ https://priya-sam.mykajabi.com/the-power-story-playbook-live

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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Meet Priya Sam: From National News Anchor to Leadership Branding Coach
00:37 – Why High Achievers Struggle with Visibility and Recognition
01:17 – The Disconnect: Capable but Overlooked in Your Career
01:58 – Why Women Are Taught to Undersell Their Achievements
02:47 – The Myth of Results Speaking for Themselves
03:28 – Building an Intentional Personal Brand for Career Growth
04:29 – Common Communication Habits That Hold Women Back
05:15 – Elevate Your Self-Descriptions: Traits vs. Differentiators
06:08 – Ownership Language: Stop Saying "Helped," Start Saying "Led"
06:46 – Elite Communication Formula: Priya Sam’s Five-Step System
07:12 – Step 1: Elevate Traits to Differentiators for Executive Presence
08:01 – Step 2: Lead with Ownership Language in Career Conversations
08:23 – Step 3: Impact Over Tasks—Speak to Measurable Outcomes
08:42 – Step 4: Tie Results Directly to Business Goals
09:36 – Step 5: Power Stories—Crafting Unforgettable Executive Narratives
11:11 – Communication Shift: From Bragging to Alignment and Clarity
11:36 – Free Guide: Download the Elite Communication Formula PDF
12:13 – Next Steps for Ambitious Women Ready for More Visibility
12:32 – Episode Wrap-Up: Share and Review Unleash Youh Voice

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CONNECT WITH PRIYA

🌐 Website: https://priyasam.com/

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PriyaSam

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyasam/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyasam

👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/priyassam/

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Subscribe for more proven career storytelling strategies, communication tips, and leadership insights every week on "Unleash Your Voice."

Priya Sam is the Host of Unleash Your Voice, where she helps ambitious professionals who struggle with getting recognized for their leadership and impact to effectively communicate their value and map out a clear path to promotions and raises using Power Stories and strategic communication.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
→ Why Q1 promotion decisions are made before January—and how to act now to get noticed
→ The #1 mistake professionals make in advocating for a promotion (and how to fix it)
→ Three actionable strategies: formalizing your intentions, mastering impact-based storytelling, and asking one essential question to move your promotion forward

📝 Free Masterclass – The Power Story Playbook: Learn how to confidently share your story, stand out at work, and unlock promotion-worthy opportunities → https://priya-sam.mykajabi.com/the-power-story-playbook-live

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Why Q1 Promotion Decisions Start Now

00:49 – The Hidden Window: When Promotions Are Really Decided

01:42 – Real Client Story: Setting Up for a Successful Promotion

02:21 – Why You Should Never Blindside Your Manager

03:15 – The Biggest Mistake People Make in Promotion Requests

04:23 – How to Communicate Leadership and Impact Effectively

05:47 – Structuring Your Promotion Request for Maximum Impact

06:44 – The Power of Reminding Managers About Your Contributions

07:33 – What Happens When You Advocate for Yourself Early

08:07 – Three Promotion Must-Dos Before Q1

08:16 – Step 1: Communicate Your Intentions in Writing

09:34 – Step 2: Build Stories That Prove Your Impact

10:34 – Adding “I” Statements to Demonstrate Leadership

11:27 – Using Storytelling to Showcase Before-and-After Results

13:08 – Step 3: Ask the One Question That Unlocks Promotion Feedback

13:38 – How to Get Honest Alignment and Accelerate Growth

14:09 – Power Story Framework: Your Key to Promotion Success

14:30 – Free Masterclass Invitation & Final Thoughts from Priya Sam

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CONNECT WITH PRIYA
🌐 Website: https://priyasam.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PriyaSam
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyasam/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyasam
👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/priyassam/

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Subscribe for weekly solo strategies and inspiring career interviews on “Unleash Your Voice.”

Priya Sam is the Host at Unleash Your Voice, where she helps ambitious professionals who struggle with standing out and being remembered in their careers to establish themselves as recognized leaders by mastering the art of strategic storytelling.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

→ The 3 power stories every leader needs—your origin, impact, and vision story

→ Why memorable stories, not just achievements, make you stand out in interviews, on panels, and in your organization

→ Real examples and practical strategies to build trust, seize high-visibility opportunities, and accelerate your career growth

📝 Free Career Accelerator Call – Want personalized coaching to build your power stories and boost your brand? DM Priya on Instagram or connect on LinkedIn this month! → priyasam.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome to Unleash Your Voice Podcast

00:10 The Importance of Power Stories

03:10 The Origin Story: Your Why

09:34 The Impact Story: Your Proof

13:15 The Vision Story: Your What's Next

14:34 Building Your Personal Power Story Bank

15:09 Conclusion and Next Steps

✦✦✦

CONNECT WITH PRIYA SAM
🌐 Website: priyasam.com

📹 YouTube: youtube.com/@PriyaSam

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/priyasam

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/priyasam

👤 Facebook:facebook.com/priyassam

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Subscribe for more solo episodes and expert interviews every other week on "Unleash Your Voice," your guide to powerful communication and career-defining impact.

#leadership #personalbrand #careercoach #storytelling #UnleashYourVoice #PriyaSam

Hailey Dawood is the Owner & CEO at The Idea Hunter, where she helps corporate clients bring creativity and impact to their events to deliver memorable, high-value experiences that transform their brand presence. During Covid, Hailey was forced to completely pivot her business and that period of uncertainty laid the foundation for the 7-figure business she leads today.

Her biggest turning point? Taking a leap of faith and leaving her stable, corporate job in marketing to work for her Mom’s events company.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

→ The power of following your intuition during career pivots and transitions

→ How to turn career setbacks like layoffs, into major opportunities

→ Practical strategies for taking bold steps as an entrepreneur, including breaking big goals into actionable moves

📝 Free Masterclass – The Power Story Playbook: Learn how to confidently share your story, stand out at work, and unlock 6-figure opportunities → https://priyasam.com/

✦✦✦

CONNECT WITH HAILEY DAWOOD
🌐 Website: https://www.theideahunter.co/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailey__dawood/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dawood/

✦✦✦

CONNECT WITH PRIYA
🌐 Website: https://priyasam.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PriyaSam
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyasam/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyasam
👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/priyassam/

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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introducing Hailey Dawood: Entrepreneur, Content Creator & Event Industry Leader
01:11 – Hailey’s Early Career: From Accounting Internships to Marketing at Pepsi and General Mills
04:35 – Growing Up with Entrepreneurs: Lessons Learned from Family Businesses
06:51 – Pivotal Moment: Getting Laid Off and Embracing New Opportunities
10:43 – Joining the Family Business: Hailey’s First Steps in Events
13:03 – Trusting Intuition: How Hailey Discovered Her Passion for Events
16:04 – Finding the Right Fit: Turning Skills into High Performance
18:18 – Overcoming Industry Stereotypes and Recognizing Hidden Talents
20:11 – The Path to Ownership: Buying the Business in a Pandemic
24:04 – Navigating Uncertainty: Betting on Herself and the Idea Hunter Legacy
25:22 – Pivoting During COVID: Creative Solutions for Virtual Events
28:36 – Embracing Failure and Growth: The Power of a Beginner’s Mindset
31:38 – Maximizing Your Grace Period: Strategies for Skill-Building in New Roles
32:11 – Building a Personal Brand: Sharing the CEO Journey on Social Media
35:54 – Consistency and Authenticity: Keys to Social Media Growth
38:02 – Earning Support: Building Credibility in the Online World
40:25 – The Value of Coaching: Accelerating Growth through Community and Learning
41:08 – Goal Setting Masterclass: Achieving Big Dreams through Small Steps
46:27 – Real-World Examples: Turning Micro Goals into Everyday Wins
50:04 – Reflecting on the Journey: Resilience, Confidence, and Intuitive Decisions
53:06 – How to Connect with Hailey Dawood and Final Takeaways from the Episode

Subscribe for more inspiring interviews and actionable insights every week on "Unleash Your Voice."

What if one story could change the trajectory of your entire career?

In this solo episode, I’m sharing how I went from an $80K salary as a national news anchor to a $160K role in tech in under two years and without changing my resume or adding new certifications.

The key?
A Power Story that clearly and confidently communicated my value, even in an industry I had no prior experience in.

If you’re navigating a career pivot, preparing for job interviews, or just tired of feeling overlooked despite your results, this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through the mindset shift, the storytelling strategy, and the exact questions I asked myself to build a personal brand that opened doors I never thought possible.

🎉 Want help building your own Power Story?
Sign up for my FREE live Masterclass, The Power Story Playbook happening July 16th at 1pm EST on Zoom:
👉 https://priya-sam.mykajabi.com/july-the-power-story-playbook

In this deeply personal episode of Unleash Your Voice, I’m sharing the story I’ve never told in full: How my so-called “dream job” as a TV anchor nearly broke me. From the outside, I had it all: a high-profile role, a steady voice on morning shows, and a path I’d worked toward since childhood. But behind the scenes? It was costing me my mental health.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a role you once wanted more than anything, only to feel drained, diminished, or disconnected—you are not alone. I walk you through my journey: from delivering newspapers as a kid to anchoring the news, enduring microaggressions and toxic leadership, and finally making the bold leap into a new chapter that aligned with my worth, values, and mental health.

This episode is for anyone questioning whether they’re meant for more and needing permission to choose themselves.

✨ What you'll hear:

• The behind-the-scenes truth of my newsroom career (and what finally pushed me to leave)
• How therapy, storytelling, and community helped me reclaim my power
• Why building a Power Story isn’t just about getting the next job, it’s about remembering who you are
• Why leaving a toxic job is not failure, it can be the start of your next chapter

This one’s for anyone who feels stuck in a job that’s draining their spirit. You’re not imagining it. You’re not alone. And you deserve better.

🔗 Plus, I’m sharing my free on-demand Power Story Masterclass here to help you start crafting a story that reflects your full power, potential, and voice.

Because no job is worth your peace. And your story? It’s the key to unlocking the future you deserve.

A Power Story is your unique story - it highlights how you're different. Your Power Story should include your passion, values, the themes from your life and career, and micro-stories.

You don't just need this story in job interviews or for your website or speaker bio. You need these stories in every day life - especially at work. Your personal brand is being built whether you're doing it intentionally or not (but if I'm being real...you should be doing it intentionally).

When you have this core story, it will lead to you being able to talk about yourself confidently and effectively. You'll build better personal and professional relationships and stand out in job interviews with ease.

If you're ready to build your Power Story and to learn how to use it in the professional world, you can join my FREE Power Story Codes Workshop next week. More info here: https://priya-sam.mykajabi.com/the-career-confidence-codes

If you've been listening to the pod for awhile - you'll remember Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa from episode 24. She's the first repeat guest we've had!

Chika was the only Black medical student in her class at the University of Toronto in 2016 and she became an advocate for more diversity and inclusion in healthcare.

Since then she has accomplished A LOT - she was her class valedictorian in 2020, named one of Time's Next Generation leaders in 2021, and now she's a Mom of two and a published author.

Chika's book Unlike the Rest: A Doctor's Story is a memoir that reads like a novel - it chronicles her childhood dream of going to medical school and the challenges and the successes she experienced along the way. It's raw, powerful, and insightful as Chika dives into topics including racism, disordered eating, body image, and finding her place when the odds were against her.

You'll get a behind the scenes look at how this book came to be in this episode.

You can find Chika's book Unlike the Rest: A Doctor's Story here: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/unlike-the-rest-a-doctors-story/9781443466264.html