Beta-Tested: A Podcast for Women Building Bold Careers in Media and Tech en Copyright 2026 Stacy Bohrer Beta-Tested is a podcast for the women navigating careers in tech, leadership, and life while still figuring it out in real time. Hosted by Stacy Bohrer, each episode features honest, unfiltered conversations with women who are writing their own rules, breaking invisible barriers, and redefining what power looks like from the inside. Whether you're leading teams, selling vision, building products, or entering through nontraditional paths - this show is your seat at the table. We unpack the truth behind big titles and polished LinkedIn bios: the ambition, the setbacks, the pivots, and the systems that don’t always work for us. From the myth of work-life balance to the realities of boardroom politics and the psychology of confidence, Beta-Tested is a space to explore what it really takes to build a meaningful, sustainable career as a woman in media and tech. To advertise on this podcast contact Marketecture Media https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/87f66c9a-4b05-11f1-8995-b39bf562a794/image/ad6d1ddfc8a63821706f67e1ed4368cb.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Beta-Tested: A Podcast for Women Building Bold Careers in Media and Tech episodic Stacy Bohrer Beta-Tested is a podcast for the women navigating careers in tech, leadership, and life while still figuring it out in real time. Hosted by Stacy Bohrer, each episode features honest, unfiltered conversations with women who are writing their own rules, breaking invisible barriers, and redefining what power looks like from the inside. Whether you're leading teams, selling vision, building products, or entering through nontraditional paths - this show is your seat at the table. We unpack the truth behind big titles and polished LinkedIn bios: the ambition, the setbacks, the pivots, and the systems that don’t always work for us. From the myth of work-life balance to the realities of boardroom politics and the psychology of confidence, Beta-Tested is a space to explore what it really takes to build a meaningful, sustainable career as a woman in media and tech. To advertise on this podcast contact Marketecture Media Beta-Tested is a podcast for the women navigating careers in tech, leadership, and life while still figuring it out in real time. Hosted by Stacy Bohrer, each episode features honest, unfiltered conversations with women who are writing their own rules, breaking invisible barriers, and redefining what power looks like from the inside.

Whether you're leading teams, selling vision, building products, or entering through nontraditional paths - this show is your seat at the table.

We unpack the truth behind big titles and polished LinkedIn bios: the ambition, the setbacks, the pivots, and the systems that don’t always work for us. From the myth of work-life balance to the realities of boardroom politics and the psychology of confidence, Beta-Tested is a space to explore what it really takes to build a meaningful, sustainable career as a woman in media and tech.


To advertise on this podcast contact Marketecture Media

]]> Stacy Bohrer stacycelia@gmail.com Nola Solomon on AI, Leadership, Confidence & Building Your Own Path Beta-tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Nola Solomon, Founder & CEO of Renoverse AI. Drawing from leadership roles at companies including The Trade Desk, NBCUniversal, Criteo, and AOL, Nola shares lessons on ambition, resilience, imposter syndrome, AI adoption, and why fear should never drive your decisions. They discuss women in tech, confidence versus perfectionism, navigating corporate politics, mentorship, leadership, entrepreneurship, and Nola's latest project: building her own AI-powered personal assistant. Takeaways Confidence Comes From Action Fear Should Never Make a Decision Women Often Over-Prepare AI Has Democratized Learning Diverse Perspectives Improve Leadership Build Your Own Opportunities Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Beta Tested & Meet Nola Solomon 01:12 Career Journey: Trade Desk, NBCU, Criteo, AOL & Entrepreneurship 02:30 Finding Your Voice as a Leader 04:04 Women in Tech, Credibility & Imposter Syndrome 07:21 Perfectionism and Leadership Growth 08:10 Why Women Often Wait Until They're "Ready" 09:33 Lessons From an Entrepreneurial Childhood 11:20 Confidence, Introversion & Personal Growth 13:13 Living Around the World & Cultural Perspectives 15:00 Leadership Challenges and Executive-Level Biases 16:00 Women Supporting Women in the Workplace 17:58 Unique Strengths Women Bring to Leadership 21:20 AI, Technical Skills & Career Growth 23:57 How AI Makes Learning More Accessible 25:19 Becoming Brave and Taking Risks 26:47 The Life Lesson: Never Let Fear Drive Decisions 27:28 What Nola Is Beta Testing Right Now 28:00 Building an AI-Powered Personal Assistant Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0000 full Stacy Bohrer Beta-tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Nola Solomon, Founder & CEO of Renoverse AI. Drawing from leadership roles at companies including The Trade Desk, NBCUniversal, Criteo, and AOL, Nola shares lessons on ambition, resilience, imposter syndrome, AI adoption, and why fear should never drive your decisions. They discuss women in tech, confidence versus perfectionism, navigating corporate politics, mentorship, leadership, entrepreneurship, and Nola's latest project: building her own AI-powered personal assistant. Takeaways Confidence Comes From Action Fear Should Never Make a Decision Women Often Over-Prepare AI Has Democratized Learning Diverse Perspectives Improve Leadership Build Your Own Opportunities Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Beta Tested & Meet Nola Solomon 01:12 Career Journey: Trade Desk, NBCU, Criteo, AOL & Entrepreneurship 02:30 Finding Your Voice as a Leader 04:04 Women in Tech, Credibility & Imposter Syndrome 07:21 Perfectionism and Leadership Growth 08:10 Why Women Often Wait Until They're "Ready" 09:33 Lessons From an Entrepreneurial Childhood 11:20 Confidence, Introversion & Personal Growth 13:13 Living Around the World & Cultural Perspectives 15:00 Leadership Challenges and Executive-Level Biases 16:00 Women Supporting Women in the Workplace 17:58 Unique Strengths Women Bring to Leadership 21:20 AI, Technical Skills & Career Growth 23:57 How AI Makes Learning More Accessible 25:19 Becoming Brave and Taking Risks 26:47 The Life Lesson: Never Let Fear Drive Decisions 27:28 What Nola Is Beta Testing Right Now 28:00 Building an AI-Powered Personal Assistant Beta-tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Nola Solomon, Founder & CEO of Renoverse AI. Drawing from leadership roles at companies including The Trade Desk, NBCUniversal, Criteo, and AOL, Nola shares lessons on ambition, resilience, imposter syndrome, AI adoption, and why fear should never drive your decisions.

They discuss women in tech, confidence versus perfectionism, navigating corporate politics, mentorship, leadership, entrepreneurship, and Nola's latest project: building her own AI-powered personal assistant.

Takeaways

  • Confidence Comes From Action
  • Fear Should Never Make a Decision
  • Women Often Over-Prepare
  • AI Has Democratized Learning
  • Diverse Perspectives Improve Leadership
  • Build Your Own Opportunities

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Beta Tested & Meet Nola Solomon

01:12 Career Journey: Trade Desk, NBCU, Criteo, AOL & Entrepreneurship

02:30 Finding Your Voice as a Leader

04:04 Women in Tech, Credibility & Imposter Syndrome

07:21 Perfectionism and Leadership Growth

08:10 Why Women Often Wait Until They're "Ready"

09:33 Lessons From an Entrepreneurial Childhood

11:20 Confidence, Introversion & Personal Growth

13:13 Living Around the World & Cultural Perspectives

15:00 Leadership Challenges and Executive-Level Biases

16:00 Women Supporting Women in the Workplace

17:58 Unique Strengths Women Bring to Leadership

21:20 AI, Technical Skills & Career Growth

23:57 How AI Makes Learning More Accessible

25:19 Becoming Brave and Taking Risks

26:47 The Life Lesson: Never Let Fear Drive Decisions

27:28 What Nola Is Beta Testing Right Now

28:00 Building an AI-Powered Personal Assistant

]]> 1743 no From Perfectionism to Power: Katy Friday on Confidence, Risk, and Leading Authentically Stacy Bohrer sits down with Katy Friday, revenue leader at StackAdapt, to unpack her journey from administrative assistant to senior leadership. Katy shares how she navigated career pivots, overcame perfectionism, built confidence, and stayed authentic in male-dominated spaces. This conversation is a real look at growth leadership and the messy middle that shapes success. Takeaways • Progress comes from showing up, not perfection • Confidence grows when you trust your own path • Betting on yourself creates new opportunities • Authenticity is a leadership advantage • Mentorship and support accelerate growth • Preparation is useful, but over-perfection can hold you back • Partnerships matter more than being liked • Boundaries are key to balancing career and family • You don’t need to reinvent yourself to lead • Saying yes intentionally can help you rediscover fulfillment Chapters 00:00 The idea behind Beta Tested and embracing imperfection 00:34 Introducing Katy Friday and her leadership journey 02:25 From criminal justice to media, an unexpected start 04:49 Transitioning into media and early career growth 06:04 Moving into digital and spotting industry shifts 07:53 Taking risks and betting on yourself 09:27 Joining The Trade Desk and accelerating career growth 10:11 Overcoming doubt in a complex industry 11:10 The turning point, shifting from likability to impact 12:59 Perfectionism and self-pressure 13:58 Building confidence and quieting self-doubt 16:32 Staying true to yourself as a leader 17:45 Authenticity in male-dominated leadership spaces 20:50 Balancing leadership and motherhood 24:15 Building a supportive partnership at home 27:05 The importance of community and support systems 27:16 What Katy is still beta testing in life Wed, 08 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0000 full Stacy Bohrer Stacy Bohrer sits down with Katy Friday, revenue leader at StackAdapt, to unpack her journey from administrative assistant to senior leadership. Katy shares how she navigated career pivots, overcame perfectionism, built confidence, and stayed authentic in male-dominated spaces. This conversation is a real look at growth leadership and the messy middle that shapes success. Takeaways • Progress comes from showing up, not perfection • Confidence grows when you trust your own path • Betting on yourself creates new opportunities • Authenticity is a leadership advantage • Mentorship and support accelerate growth • Preparation is useful, but over-perfection can hold you back • Partnerships matter more than being liked • Boundaries are key to balancing career and family • You don’t need to reinvent yourself to lead • Saying yes intentionally can help you rediscover fulfillment Chapters 00:00 The idea behind Beta Tested and embracing imperfection 00:34 Introducing Katy Friday and her leadership journey 02:25 From criminal justice to media, an unexpected start 04:49 Transitioning into media and early career growth 06:04 Moving into digital and spotting industry shifts 07:53 Taking risks and betting on yourself 09:27 Joining The Trade Desk and accelerating career growth 10:11 Overcoming doubt in a complex industry 11:10 The turning point, shifting from likability to impact 12:59 Perfectionism and self-pressure 13:58 Building confidence and quieting self-doubt 16:32 Staying true to yourself as a leader 17:45 Authenticity in male-dominated leadership spaces 20:50 Balancing leadership and motherhood 24:15 Building a supportive partnership at home 27:05 The importance of community and support systems 27:16 What Katy is still beta testing in life Stacy Bohrer sits down with Katy Friday, revenue leader at StackAdapt, to unpack her journey from administrative assistant to senior leadership. Katy shares how she navigated career pivots, overcame perfectionism, built confidence, and stayed authentic in male-dominated spaces. This conversation is a real look at growth leadership and the messy middle that shapes success.

Takeaways

• Progress comes from showing up, not perfection

• Confidence grows when you trust your own path

• Betting on yourself creates new opportunities

• Authenticity is a leadership advantage

• Mentorship and support accelerate growth

• Preparation is useful, but over-perfection can hold you back

• Partnerships matter more than being liked

• Boundaries are key to balancing career and family

• You don’t need to reinvent yourself to lead

• Saying yes intentionally can help you rediscover fulfillment

Chapters

00:00 The idea behind Beta Tested and embracing imperfection

00:34 Introducing Katy Friday and her leadership journey

02:25 From criminal justice to media, an unexpected start

04:49 Transitioning into media and early career growth

06:04 Moving into digital and spotting industry shifts

07:53 Taking risks and betting on yourself

09:27 Joining The Trade Desk and accelerating career growth

10:11 Overcoming doubt in a complex industry

11:10 The turning point, shifting from likability to impact

12:59 Perfectionism and self-pressure

13:58 Building confidence and quieting self-doubt

16:32 Staying true to yourself as a leader

17:45 Authenticity in male-dominated leadership spaces

20:50 Balancing leadership and motherhood

24:15 Building a supportive partnership at home

27:05 The importance of community and support systems

27:16 What Katy is still beta testing in life


]]> 1803 no Stephani Estes on Finding Your Voice, Leading with Courage, and Building Psychological Safety Stacy Bohrer sits down with Stephani Estes, Chief Media Officer at The Shipyard, to discuss leadership, confidence, psychological safety, sponsorship versus mentorship, and advocating for women in the workplace. Stephani shares lessons from her unconventional career journey, why speaking up matters, how leaders can create trust, and the power of embracing opportunities before feeling fully ready. Takeaways Confidence comes from trusting your perspective and being willing to speak up, even when it's uncomfortable. Psychological safety is essential for innovation, collaboration, and high-performing teams. Women often wait until they're fully qualified before pursuing opportunities, while growth happens by embracing the unknown. Great leaders listen more than they talk and actively seek perspectives that aren't represented in the room. Sponsorship goes beyond mentorship by actively advocating for others and creating opportunities for them. Feedback is a gift, and leadership requires both the courage to give it and the humility to receive it. Reframing apologies into expressions of gratitude can help build confidence and stronger communication habits. Success comes from continuous learning, whether in your career or personal passions. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Beta Tested & Introducing Stephani Estes 01:05 Stephani’s Career Journey: From Special Education Teacher to Chief Media Officer 02:24 Why Media Is Always in Beta Mode 03:08 Finding Your Voice and Learning to Speak Up 04:49 Overcoming the Fear of Being Wrong 06:00 Speaking Truth to Power and Managing Resistance 07:10 The Role of Therapy in Personal and Professional Growth 08:06 Looking Polished While Navigating New Leadership Roles 09:00 Being “Scited”: Scared and Excited at the Same Time 10:08 Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone 11:15 Why More Women Should Apply Before They're Fully Ready 13:02 Hiring for Curiosity, Critical Thinking, and Potential 15:15 Learning When and How to Use Your Voice 16:15 Advocating for Women in Leadership 16:45 Asking: “Whose Voice Is Missing?” 18:00 Calling Out Bias and Microaggressions 20:05 Sponsorship vs. Mentorship 21:30 The Challenge of Self-Advocacy 22:25 Internalized Bias and Direct Communication 23:10 Turning “Sorry” Into “Thank You” 24:00 Leadership Responsibility and Listening at Scale 25:45 Monthly Office Hours and Staying Connected to Teams 28:00 Why Psychological Safety Is a Business Imperative 29:00 Breaking Down Silos Through Trust 30:00 Disagreement Without Losing Psychological Safety Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0000 full Stacy Bohrer Stacy Bohrer sits down with Stephani Estes, Chief Media Officer at The Shipyard, to discuss leadership, confidence, psychological safety, sponsorship versus mentorship, and advocating for women in the workplace. Stephani shares lessons from her unconventional career journey, why speaking up matters, how leaders can create trust, and the power of embracing opportunities before feeling fully ready. Takeaways Confidence comes from trusting your perspective and being willing to speak up, even when it's uncomfortable. Psychological safety is essential for innovation, collaboration, and high-performing teams. Women often wait until they're fully qualified before pursuing opportunities, while growth happens by embracing the unknown. Great leaders listen more than they talk and actively seek perspectives that aren't represented in the room. Sponsorship goes beyond mentorship by actively advocating for others and creating opportunities for them. Feedback is a gift, and leadership requires both the courage to give it and the humility to receive it. Reframing apologies into expressions of gratitude can help build confidence and stronger communication habits. Success comes from continuous learning, whether in your career or personal passions. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Beta Tested & Introducing Stephani Estes 01:05 Stephani’s Career Journey: From Special Education Teacher to Chief Media Officer 02:24 Why Media Is Always in Beta Mode 03:08 Finding Your Voice and Learning to Speak Up 04:49 Overcoming the Fear of Being Wrong 06:00 Speaking Truth to Power and Managing Resistance 07:10 The Role of Therapy in Personal and Professional Growth 08:06 Looking Polished While Navigating New Leadership Roles 09:00 Being “Scited”: Scared and Excited at the Same Time 10:08 Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone 11:15 Why More Women Should Apply Before They're Fully Ready 13:02 Hiring for Curiosity, Critical Thinking, and Potential 15:15 Learning When and How to Use Your Voice 16:15 Advocating for Women in Leadership 16:45 Asking: “Whose Voice Is Missing?” 18:00 Calling Out Bias and Microaggressions 20:05 Sponsorship vs. Mentorship 21:30 The Challenge of Self-Advocacy 22:25 Internalized Bias and Direct Communication 23:10 Turning “Sorry” Into “Thank You” 24:00 Leadership Responsibility and Listening at Scale 25:45 Monthly Office Hours and Staying Connected to Teams 28:00 Why Psychological Safety Is a Business Imperative 29:00 Breaking Down Silos Through Trust 30:00 Disagreement Without Losing Psychological Safety Stacy Bohrer sits down with Stephani Estes, Chief Media Officer at The Shipyard, to discuss leadership, confidence, psychological safety, sponsorship versus mentorship, and advocating for women in the workplace. Stephani shares lessons from her unconventional career journey, why speaking up matters, how leaders can create trust, and the power of embracing opportunities before feeling fully ready.

Takeaways

  • Confidence comes from trusting your perspective and being willing to speak up, even when it's uncomfortable.

  • Psychological safety is essential for innovation, collaboration, and high-performing teams.

  • Women often wait until they're fully qualified before pursuing opportunities, while growth happens by embracing the unknown.

  • Great leaders listen more than they talk and actively seek perspectives that aren't represented in the room.

  • Sponsorship goes beyond mentorship by actively advocating for others and creating opportunities for them.

  • Feedback is a gift, and leadership requires both the courage to give it and the humility to receive it.

  • Reframing apologies into expressions of gratitude can help build confidence and stronger communication habits.

  • Success comes from continuous learning, whether in your career or personal passions.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Beta Tested & Introducing Stephani Estes

01:05 Stephani’s Career Journey: From Special Education Teacher to Chief Media Officer

02:24 Why Media Is Always in Beta Mode

03:08 Finding Your Voice and Learning to Speak Up

04:49 Overcoming the Fear of Being Wrong

06:00 Speaking Truth to Power and Managing Resistance

07:10 The Role of Therapy in Personal and Professional Growth

08:06 Looking Polished While Navigating New Leadership Roles

09:00 Being “Scited”: Scared and Excited at the Same Time

10:08 Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone

11:15 Why More Women Should Apply Before They're Fully Ready

13:02 Hiring for Curiosity, Critical Thinking, and Potential

15:15 Learning When and How to Use Your Voice

16:15 Advocating for Women in Leadership

16:45 Asking: “Whose Voice Is Missing?”

18:00 Calling Out Bias and Microaggressions

20:05 Sponsorship vs. Mentorship

21:30 The Challenge of Self-Advocacy

22:25 Internalized Bias and Direct Communication

23:10 Turning “Sorry” Into “Thank You”

24:00 Leadership Responsibility and Listening at Scale

25:45 Monthly Office Hours and Staying Connected to Teams

28:00 Why Psychological Safety Is a Business Imperative

29:00 Breaking Down Silos Through Trust

30:00 Disagreement Without Losing Psychological Safety


]]> 1827 Tech, Motherhood & the Myth of Balance: Melissa Gordon-Ring on Leadership, Boundaries, and Reinvention In this episode of Beta-Tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Melissa Gordon-Ring, media and healthcare industry leader at Omnicom Media Health, to discuss confidence, career growth, motherhood, boundaries, and the myth of achieving perfect balance. Melissa shares how embracing authenticity, asking questions, setting clear boundaries, and focusing on gratitude have helped her navigate leadership, family life, and industry transformation. Whether you're a working parent, aspiring leader, or someone seeking more confidence, this conversation offers practical wisdom for thriving in the messy middle of growth. Takeaways Confidence is built through experience, self-awareness, and learning to stop apologizing for taking up space. Asking questions is a leadership strength, not a weakness. Clear boundaries help others understand how to support you and respect your priorities. Balance isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about showing up as your best self in each moment. Family priorities become easier to protect when you're clear about your values. Gratitude can serve as a grounding practice during periods of uncertainty and change. Authenticity is a leadership superpower that fosters trust and connection. Success comes from embracing imperfection and learning from setbacks. Sharing your goals with others creates accountability and support. Personal growth often requires resilience, risk-taking, and continuous reinvention. Chapters 00:00 - Welcome to Beta Tested: Embracing the Messy Middle 00:35 - Meeting Melissa and First Impressions 02:02 - Leading Healthcare Media at Omnicom Media Health 02:44 - Navigating Industry Change and Uncertainty 04:04 - Building Confidence and Letting Go of Perfection 05:54 - The Link Between Career Growth and Confidence 08:30 - Finding Strength Through Self-Awareness 09:40 - Boundaries, Self-Care, and the Myth of Balance 11:01 - Motherhood, Career Ambition, and Priorities 13:15 - Why Clear Boundaries Matter 14:52 - "Clear Is Kind" and Communicating Expectations 16:15 - Giving Others Permission to Support You 17:26 - Working Parenthood and Managing Guilt 18:36 - What Melissa Is Beta Testing Right Now 19:03 - Resilience, Risk, and Reinvention 20:49 - Designing Your Life with Intention 21:34 - Agility, Adaptability, and Leadership 22:01 - Owning Mistakes and Learning from Them 22:47 - Gratitude as a Daily Practice 23:03 - Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0000 full Stacy Bohrer In this episode of Beta-Tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Melissa Gordon-Ring, media and healthcare industry leader at Omnicom Media Health, to discuss confidence, career growth, motherhood, boundaries, and the myth of achieving perfect balance. Melissa shares how embracing authenticity, asking questions, setting clear boundaries, and focusing on gratitude have helped her navigate leadership, family life, and industry transformation. Whether you're a working parent, aspiring leader, or someone seeking more confidence, this conversation offers practical wisdom for thriving in the messy middle of growth. Takeaways Confidence is built through experience, self-awareness, and learning to stop apologizing for taking up space. Asking questions is a leadership strength, not a weakness. Clear boundaries help others understand how to support you and respect your priorities. Balance isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about showing up as your best self in each moment. Family priorities become easier to protect when you're clear about your values. Gratitude can serve as a grounding practice during periods of uncertainty and change. Authenticity is a leadership superpower that fosters trust and connection. Success comes from embracing imperfection and learning from setbacks. Sharing your goals with others creates accountability and support. Personal growth often requires resilience, risk-taking, and continuous reinvention. Chapters 00:00 - Welcome to Beta Tested: Embracing the Messy Middle 00:35 - Meeting Melissa and First Impressions 02:02 - Leading Healthcare Media at Omnicom Media Health 02:44 - Navigating Industry Change and Uncertainty 04:04 - Building Confidence and Letting Go of Perfection 05:54 - The Link Between Career Growth and Confidence 08:30 - Finding Strength Through Self-Awareness 09:40 - Boundaries, Self-Care, and the Myth of Balance 11:01 - Motherhood, Career Ambition, and Priorities 13:15 - Why Clear Boundaries Matter 14:52 - "Clear Is Kind" and Communicating Expectations 16:15 - Giving Others Permission to Support You 17:26 - Working Parenthood and Managing Guilt 18:36 - What Melissa Is Beta Testing Right Now 19:03 - Resilience, Risk, and Reinvention 20:49 - Designing Your Life with Intention 21:34 - Agility, Adaptability, and Leadership 22:01 - Owning Mistakes and Learning from Them 22:47 - Gratitude as a Daily Practice 23:03 - Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts In this episode of Beta-Tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Melissa Gordon-Ring, media and healthcare industry leader at Omnicom Media Health, to discuss confidence, career growth, motherhood, boundaries, and the myth of achieving perfect balance. Melissa shares how embracing authenticity, asking questions, setting clear boundaries, and focusing on gratitude have helped her navigate leadership, family life, and industry transformation. Whether you're a working parent, aspiring leader, or someone seeking more confidence, this conversation offers practical wisdom for thriving in the messy middle of growth.

Takeaways

  • Confidence is built through experience, self-awareness, and learning to stop apologizing for taking up space.
  • Asking questions is a leadership strength, not a weakness.
  • Clear boundaries help others understand how to support you and respect your priorities.
  • Balance isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about showing up as your best self in each moment.
  • Family priorities become easier to protect when you're clear about your values.
  • Gratitude can serve as a grounding practice during periods of uncertainty and change.
  • Authenticity is a leadership superpower that fosters trust and connection.
  • Success comes from embracing imperfection and learning from setbacks.
  • Sharing your goals with others creates accountability and support.
  • Personal growth often requires resilience, risk-taking, and continuous reinvention.

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome to Beta Tested: Embracing the Messy Middle

00:35 - Meeting Melissa and First Impressions

02:02 - Leading Healthcare Media at Omnicom Media Health

02:44 - Navigating Industry Change and Uncertainty

04:04 - Building Confidence and Letting Go of Perfection

05:54 - The Link Between Career Growth and Confidence

08:30 - Finding Strength Through Self-Awareness

09:40 - Boundaries, Self-Care, and the Myth of Balance

11:01 - Motherhood, Career Ambition, and Priorities

13:15 - Why Clear Boundaries Matter

14:52 - "Clear Is Kind" and Communicating Expectations

16:15 - Giving Others Permission to Support You

17:26 - Working Parenthood and Managing Guilt

18:36 - What Melissa Is Beta Testing Right Now

19:03 - Resilience, Risk, and Reinvention

20:49 - Designing Your Life with Intention

21:34 - Agility, Adaptability, and Leadership

22:01 - Owning Mistakes and Learning from Them

22:47 - Gratitude as a Daily Practice

23:03 - Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts


]]> 1255 no Lauren Wetzel on Leadership & Breaking Barriers for Women in Tech For the debut episode of Beta Tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Lauren Wetzel, Global President of Data & Technology at WPP, for a candid conversation on leadership, sponsorship vs. mentorship, women in technology, AI innovation, career growth, and building diverse, high-performing teams. Lauren shares lessons from her leadership journey and practical advice for navigating change, advocating for yourself, and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Takeaways: Leadership is about creating environments where others can do their best work. Sponsorship accelerates careers by advocating for talent when they're not in the room. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is often more important than IQ for effective leadership. Women tend to be over-mentored and under-sponsored in their careers. Constructive feedback is a skill that can be developed through repetition and self-awareness. Diverse leadership teams drive stronger business outcomes and innovation. Confidence comes from preparation, self-trust, and being comfortable with what you don't know. Authentic leadership requires balancing ambition with kindness toward yourself and your team. AI and automation are creating new opportunities for leaders to work smarter and focus on higher-value activities. Career growth often happens by already doing the work of the next role before receiving the title. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Beta Tested 00:38 Lauren's Career Journey & Role at WPP 03:41 Women Leading Data & Technology 05:11 Why EQ Matters More Than IQ in Leadership 08:39 Early Career Ambitions & Learning Mindset 11:03 Becoming a Leader Through Impact 12:03 The Power of Sponsorship 12:44 Handling Feedback Without Letting It Hold You Back 18:50 Self-Advocacy, Promotions & Career Growth 23:50 Taking Ownership Before You Have the Title 24:52 Mentorship vs. Sponsorship Explained 29:44 Structural Barriers for Women in Leadership 34:20 Building Diverse Teams That Drive Results 38:44 Finding Courage When You're Afraid to Speak Up 40:55 Confidence Through Preparation & Self-Trust 44:47 Leadership, Kindness & Creating Space for Others 45:08 What Lauren is Beta Testing: AI, Automation & the Future of Work 47:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks Takeaways Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0000 full Stacy Bohrer For the debut episode of Beta Tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Lauren Wetzel, Global President of Data & Technology at WPP, for a candid conversation on leadership, sponsorship vs. mentorship, women in technology, AI innovation, career growth, and building diverse, high-performing teams. Lauren shares lessons from her leadership journey and practical advice for navigating change, advocating for yourself, and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Takeaways: Leadership is about creating environments where others can do their best work. Sponsorship accelerates careers by advocating for talent when they're not in the room. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is often more important than IQ for effective leadership. Women tend to be over-mentored and under-sponsored in their careers. Constructive feedback is a skill that can be developed through repetition and self-awareness. Diverse leadership teams drive stronger business outcomes and innovation. Confidence comes from preparation, self-trust, and being comfortable with what you don't know. Authentic leadership requires balancing ambition with kindness toward yourself and your team. AI and automation are creating new opportunities for leaders to work smarter and focus on higher-value activities. Career growth often happens by already doing the work of the next role before receiving the title. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Beta Tested 00:38 Lauren's Career Journey & Role at WPP 03:41 Women Leading Data & Technology 05:11 Why EQ Matters More Than IQ in Leadership 08:39 Early Career Ambitions & Learning Mindset 11:03 Becoming a Leader Through Impact 12:03 The Power of Sponsorship 12:44 Handling Feedback Without Letting It Hold You Back 18:50 Self-Advocacy, Promotions & Career Growth 23:50 Taking Ownership Before You Have the Title 24:52 Mentorship vs. Sponsorship Explained 29:44 Structural Barriers for Women in Leadership 34:20 Building Diverse Teams That Drive Results 38:44 Finding Courage When You're Afraid to Speak Up 40:55 Confidence Through Preparation & Self-Trust 44:47 Leadership, Kindness & Creating Space for Others 45:08 What Lauren is Beta Testing: AI, Automation & the Future of Work 47:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks Takeaways For the debut episode of Beta Tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Lauren Wetzel, Global President of Data & Technology at WPP, for a candid conversation on leadership, sponsorship vs. mentorship, women in technology, AI innovation, career growth, and building diverse, high-performing teams. Lauren shares lessons from her leadership journey and practical advice for navigating change, advocating for yourself, and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Takeaways:

  • Leadership is about creating environments where others can do their best work.
  • Sponsorship accelerates careers by advocating for talent when they're not in the room.
  • Emotional intelligence (EQ) is often more important than IQ for effective leadership.
  • Women tend to be over-mentored and under-sponsored in their careers.
  • Constructive feedback is a skill that can be developed through repetition and self-awareness.
  • Diverse leadership teams drive stronger business outcomes and innovation.
  • Confidence comes from preparation, self-trust, and being comfortable with what you don't know.
  • Authentic leadership requires balancing ambition with kindness toward yourself and your team.
  • AI and automation are creating new opportunities for leaders to work smarter and focus on higher-value activities.
  • Career growth often happens by already doing the work of the next role before receiving the title.

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Beta Tested

00:38 Lauren's Career Journey & Role at WPP

03:41 Women Leading Data & Technology

05:11 Why EQ Matters More Than IQ in Leadership

08:39 Early Career Ambitions & Learning Mindset

11:03 Becoming a Leader Through Impact

12:03 The Power of Sponsorship

12:44 Handling Feedback Without Letting It Hold You Back

18:50 Self-Advocacy, Promotions & Career Growth

23:50 Taking Ownership Before You Have the Title

24:52 Mentorship vs. Sponsorship Explained

29:44 Structural Barriers for Women in Leadership

34:20 Building Diverse Teams That Drive Results

38:44 Finding Courage When You're Afraid to Speak Up

40:55 Confidence Through Preparation & Self-Trust

44:47 Leadership, Kindness & Creating Space for Others

45:08 What Lauren is Beta Testing: AI, Automation & the Future of Work

47:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

Takeaways

]]> 2731 no Beta-Tested: A Podcast for Women Building Bold Careers in Media and Tech This sizzle reel offers a glimpse into four powerful conversations with some of the most influential women in media, marketing, and technology. From leadership and resilience to motherhood, confidence, and career-defining breakthroughs, each episode reveals the personal stories behind the titles and the lessons learned along the way. Featuring Zoe Mann of Amazon, Melissa Gordon-Ring of IPG Health, Lauren Wetzel of WPP, and Katy Friday of StackAdapt, the series captures honest reflections, sharp insights, and the moments that shaped their paths to leadership. Together, these conversations explore ambition, reinvention, and what it really takes to thrive in fast-moving industries. Thu, 14 May 2026 02:30:00 -0000 trailer Stacy Bohrer This sizzle reel offers a glimpse into four powerful conversations with some of the most influential women in media, marketing, and technology. From leadership and resilience to motherhood, confidence, and career-defining breakthroughs, each episode reveals the personal stories behind the titles and the lessons learned along the way. Featuring Zoe Mann of Amazon, Melissa Gordon-Ring of IPG Health, Lauren Wetzel of WPP, and Katy Friday of StackAdapt, the series captures honest reflections, sharp insights, and the moments that shaped their paths to leadership. Together, these conversations explore ambition, reinvention, and what it really takes to thrive in fast-moving industries. This sizzle reel offers a glimpse into four powerful conversations with some of the most influential women in media, marketing, and technology. From leadership and resilience to motherhood, confidence, and career-defining breakthroughs, each episode reveals the personal stories behind the titles and the lessons learned along the way.

Featuring Zoe Mann of Amazon, Melissa Gordon-Ring of IPG Health, Lauren Wetzel of WPP, and Katy Friday of StackAdapt, the series captures honest reflections, sharp insights, and the moments that shaped their paths to leadership. Together, these conversations explore ambition, reinvention, and what it really takes to thrive in fast-moving industries.

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