• A six-step plan for preparing for career setbacks.
• Advocating for self-documentation of achievements.
• Recognizing the common mistake of underestimating one's worth.
• The power of energizing and motivating others to leave a lasting mark in their careers.

Octavia also talks about her book 'Prep, Push, Pivot,' which offers career strategies for underrepresented women, dealing with changes at work, handling difficult bosses, and the mistake many make of underestimating their worth. The episode is packed with practical tips for career advancement, the value of tracking accomplishments, and the power of energizing others through one's work.

I'm your host, Aliza Licht. I'm an award-winning marketer, two-time author, and personal branding expert, and I am your trusted guide every week, bringing you career advice and stories that you really don't hear anywhere else. Because here's the difference: my podcast is keeping it real. And I want to make sure when you listen to these episodes, you walk away feeling like, I can do that. I can literally take that advice and employ it tomorrow. Because we don't need fluffy advice and we don't need to hear people just bragging about their careers.

We need to hear real information that we can use. So join me this season, Season 14. I am so excited to be back. We have a stellar lineup of guests and this season I'm going to be doing something new. I am going to start some solo episodes based on my new book, On Brand, on specific topics. And I think it'll be really fun to have those episodes too.

So subscribe to the show. I can't wait to have you listen. And please remember that whatever you're going through right now, if change doesn't hurt a little, it's not change. Keep on rocking.

Aliza x

But as a creator and internet personality, Taylor has often become the story herself and a target by many. The backlash comes swiftly, frequently, and usually from right-wing media. Tucker Carlson's favorite pastime is bashing her every move. Fox has held entire segments around Taylor, and #TaylorLorenz is often a trending hashtag on Twitter (now X). Elon Musk has gone after her many times. The minute she publishes a story, she'll start trending, and the trolling begins. None of it is slowing Taylor down.

Taylor Lorenz has been the authority on internet culture for over a decade, documenting its far-reaching effects on all corners of our lives. In her first book, Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet, debuts this week, she presents a groundbreaking social history of the internet—revealing how online influence and the creators who amass it have reshaped our world, online and off.

"It's important to set the record straight on where the "creator economy" emerged from because, in 2021, when Silicon Valley finally woke up and was forced to take internet culture seriously because of the pandemic, there was just so much revisionist history. They were talking about how MrBeast founded the notion of productizing himself — that's just not true. Beauty vloggers were doing that back in 2012. Mommy bloggers pioneered a lot of these revenue streams, so I wanted to also talk about that. No one has written that history. I want to tell the stories that have been written out of history by Silicon Valley," says Taylor. 

In this episode, Taylor and I map her journey from former aspiring fashion publicist to globally renowned journalist. We cover the state of the creator economy, how she follows trends and the future of tech, where she sees social media heading, and most importantly, setting the record straight on its birth and evolution. I am honored to be included in her book for my work as the former DKNY PR GIRL social media personality I created and was the voice of from 2009-2015.

I have loved watching Taylor's career. Fun fact: her first work experience was as a PR intern at DKNY in my department! She has an exceptional finger on the pulse of the internet and the ability to see patterns others don't. I truly admire her strength and resistance to her haters. In her new book, Extremely Online, she shares "the inside, untold story of what we have done to the internet and what it has done to us."

At the time, there were already 10,000 language solutions companies in existence. In fact, she was working at the biggest one. However, Liz saw flaws in their service offerings and set out to do it better. She succeeded and built the largest language-solutions company in the world. She served as Co-CEO until 2018. Following her departure, Liz founded the Elizabeth Elting Foundation to break down systemic barriers, bridge gaps, and foster systemic change for women and other underserved communities so that people of every stripe can succeed, thrive, and reach their potential.

In 2020, the Elizabeth Elting Foundation launched the Halo Fund, a comprehensive multimillion-dollar pandemic relief initiative to directly support medical needs, hunger relief, health equity, and on-the-ground efforts in underserved communities. When Liz was at NYU, she tried to find books on starting a business, but none resonated with her, and she read many. In DREAM BIG AND WIN, Liz reveals a counterintuitive approach to success and divulges practical and inspiring tips you can implement immediately. Her refreshingly frank and humorous recollections of lessons in life and entrepreneurship serve as a guide for anyone who seeks to fulfill their highest potential.

DREAM BIG AND WIN is for anyone who has ever dreamed of translating their passion into purpose and creating something bigger than themselves—from one of the most successful women in America.This episode is full of tactical and sometimes surprising advice. Liz shares everything from why your goal should be to replace yourself, the shocking question she asks every candidate she interviews, why you should never be a 50/50 partner, and so much more. 

Catherine is an established marketing and communications leader and has worked for some of the most notable consumer brands, including Netflix and eBay, with more than 20 years of experience. Currently, she leads the consumer communications strategy for LinkedIn and serves as the company spokeswoman educating and inspiring people on how to think about and grow their careers. 

When Kate's daughter Penny rolled off the bed at four months old, what seemed like a typical tibia fracture uncovered a diagnosis called Neurofibromatosis, also known as NF. One out of 300,000 kids is diagnosed with NF. This genetic disorder causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways anywhere in the body. At the time, doctors encouraged them to focus on healing the leg and not google NF. 

As parents, they were determined to make sure Penny lived a big, beautiful life. Even though she had her first surgery at 15 months old and was in a body cast for four months, she would commando crawl across the room in her bright pink cast bedazzled with gemstones. Nothing stopped Penny.

Throughout her life, Penny was never defined by her ailments. She also didn't hide from them. She knew she was different from most people but never referred to it. Over her short years, Penny endured seven orthopedic surgeries and 11 brain surgeries. She never felt sorry for herself. Penny lived as a typical social and funny teenage girl with a beautiful smile and someone who was always the life of the party. Sadly, NF took Penny at 16. 

Within days of Penny's passing, Penny's Flight was launched in celebration of the extraordinary life of Penny Doerge and the qualities she personified — joy, artistic expression, and humor — while bravely living with Neurofibromatosis (NF) since infancy. The Foundation's mission is to make much-needed advances in medical research on Neurofibromatosis and related disorders — with a lasting impact on altering the course of this disease. There is no cure for NF, and research around the disease remains underfunded despite being one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States. 

Through Penny's story and bright light, the Foundation aims to expand knowledge around NF while inspiring others to find beauty in imperfection, positivity in the face of challenge, and faith over fear. In less than a year, they have raised over $3 million for Penny's Flight, and this is just the beginning. 

There is no greater tragedy than losing a child. Still, Kate Doerge and her husband, Chad Doerge, made a choice: to choose joy and positivity and focus on spreading their daughter Penny's light because living life with joy and optimism came naturally for Penny.

In this episode, Kate shares how she and Chad handle adversity and how their mentality of choosing joy and positivity has led them. Kate shares the steps they took to build this Foundation in a few days and how anyone can model this mindset to push through even the most tragic times. As Kate says, it's not about your lifespan but your wingspan. Penny always spread her wings and shined her light. This episode is about strength, resilience, and the power of positivity, everything Penny embodied. Penny lived her life's purpose and will continue to inspire others. 

Amanda is a veteran of the beauty and finance industries, but this role as CEO is her first. Under her leadership for the past seven years, the company has grown well over 20x, become highly profitable, and secured a majority investment from Blackstone Growth, Blackstone's platform backing the next generation of category-creating brands. Beginner's luck? No way. Her educational and experience pedigree has shaped who she is today. She oversees the entirety of the organization, setting its strategy for growth, building a world-class team, and leading the company's marketing, sales, product development, operations, and finance divisions.

Before joining Supergoop! Amanda was a member of the operating team at L Catterton with a particular focus on the beauty sector. Prior to L Catterton, she led the omnichannel marketing strategy of Dior Beauty at LVMH, Inc. and held several positions at Clinique, a part of The Estee Lauder Companies. Her career began in finance as a private equity investor at Apax Partners and an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs.

In this episode, Amanda spills the secrets to her success, and spoiler alert: it involves putting in the hard work. We discuss what it means to innovate in a category, her views on marketing and partnerships, and why one of the biggest challenges of entrepreneurship is that you can see the big, big, big, big picture, but that doesn't mean you can do all of it right away. We dive deep into what she attributes to her success in gaining management's trust to test, learn, and iterate. She shares how she thinks about leadership, the matchmaking process of hiring, and why it's not just about knowing how to do the job but LOVING to do the job and how candidates can stand out from the pack.

About Amanda Baldwin

About Aliza Licht

Book Aliza to Speak

Books:

LEAVE YOUR MARK: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It In Your Career. Rock Social Media

ON BRAND: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception.

Follow: 

On Instagram and TikTok @alizalichtxo @leaveyourmarkpodcast

On X @alizalicht

#alizalicht #leaveyourmark #leaveyourmarkpodcast #careeradvice #femalefounders #supergoop #podcast #amandabaldwin

BOY MEETS GIRL® is known for its iconic double-silhouette logo and purposeful, edgy, contemporary athleisure wear. Stacy and BOY MEETS GIRL® seeks to promote the message that confidence and courage are trends that never go out of style. 

She has partnered with everyone from Bergdorf Goodman and Target to the NBA's Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks, to name just a few. She collaborates with musical artists, athletes, and activists, making an impact, as well as organizations including the Young Survival Coalition, BullyBust, Human Rights Watch, GLAM4GOOD, Youth Over Guns, and many others. 

Her new book Embracing The Calm In the Chaos: How to Find Success in Business and Life Through Perseverance, Connection, and Collaboration is one of Barnes & Noble's Top 20 Best in Business Books where she shares her entrepreneurial journey and provides practical tips and takeaways for others to use in life and business. 

In this episode, Stacy takes us on her journey of fashion disruption, embracing the calm in the chaos, how she thinks about partnerships, licensing, gaming, the Metaverse, and most of all, how she spends her time. As a working mom and someone who has her hands in everything, Stacy has been able to build a global brand while still managing to have fun.

Before founding Testament Beauty, Sophia was a journalist, and we worked together during her years at Women's Wear Daily and Glamour. I remember when Sophia told me she would launch a brand over dinner. Six years in the making, most notably because of her imposter syndrome, Sophia finally got out of her way and made her dream possible at the pivotal age of 40. 

"I was telling my brother somebody should do a skincare line that is, you know, sort of like how we grew up, like the Mediterranean diet but for your face, and he was like, why not you?"

In this episode, Sophia shares her story and experience rising in her career to become a top-tier journalist and then saying goodbye to her media life to embrace the hustle life of being a start-up founder. She shares her fears, obstacles, and, ultimately, what made her move past her self-doubt to create something uniquely her own. 

As the first Black Chief Executive Officer at Family Equality, Stacey is a trailblazing leader, selected as one of Out Magazine's Out100 list — a compilation of the year's most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people — in the fall of 2022.

Stacey has already ushered Family Equality through a tremendous chapter of growth. From expanding the organization's work to protect LGBTQ+ youth and families in schools to deepening the focus on lowering barriers to parenthood in our community, they have prioritized not only advancing lived and legal equality for LGBTQ+ families but also advancing racial and social justice for BIPOC communities, those living in rural areas, and those living at or below the poverty line. And they are just getting started. 

A powerful speaker and motivator, Stacey regularly shares their experiences growing up LGBTQ+ in the rural South, being pulled out of the closet, and navigating life as a Black queer parent.

Stacey's advocacy has helped propel Family Equality further into the national spotlight with multiple appearances on The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart, a bipartisan panel discussion hosted at the U.S. Capitol, collaborations with movement partners, countless speaking engagements, and media appearances including an op-ed in USA TODAY. In the op-ed, Stacey shared their family's story of moving from their home state of Texas in search of a more welcoming community. Stacey, wife Cheralyn, and 8-year-old twin boys, Duke and London, enjoy the life they are building in Washington, D.C.

In this episode, Stacey shares their journey, which is, at times, heartbreaking but equally inspiring. We discuss their work and mission at Family Equality, the importance of being an ally, and why people cancel themselves when they don't speak up for their beliefs. We dive into work-life balance, mindful Mondays, ruthless prioritization, how they leveraged transferable skills to crush an interview for a job they had no experience in, and so much more.

In this episode, Jennifer shares her personal story of motherhood and serious health struggles and how her son's unexpected and miraculous birth quite literally gave birth to her jewelry collection. The baby gifts being sent to her just weren't cutting it. Her famous personalized stamped dog tag was the talk of the photo shoots she was on, and all it took was making one necklace for Uma Thurman (who wore hers on the cover of Glamour), and the rest is history. Founded 18 years ago, her brand is now omnichannel and just getting started.

Jennifer shares her mentality around brand-building as an individual, being super direct, and why you can't attract everyone. Note: That's ok with her. Her energy and style are contagious; you'll leave this one inspired to be yourself.

Jennifer is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), a nominee for the 2019 Accessory Designer of the Year at the annual CFDA Awards, a recipient of the 2018 Town & Country Jewelry Award for Retail Innovation, the 2016 Influencer of the Year at the annual Accessories Council Excellence (ACE) Awards and was a nominee for the CFDA Swarovski Accessories award in 2014. She speaks frequently about strategic leadership, brand building, and empowering the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs, most recently at Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Columbia, Savannah College of Art & Design, and Northeastern University.

Throughout her career in network news, Jaclyn has produced and overseen award-winning, quality content with the highest level of journalistic and production value. With a front-row seat to history in the making, she has led top-tier teams of journalists delivering millions of people their news daily. Her versatility is key to pivoting from breaking news coverage to features, entertainment, lifestyle, and short-form storytelling.

As one of the first female Executive Producers at TODAY, Jaclyn ran the business behind the multi-million dollar hour of television she oversaw, managing relationships with not only high-profile news anchors and entertainment talent but also partnering with all internal teams. Jaclyn spent 15 years at TODAY, and 26 total at NBC News, leaving in the fall of 2020.

Today she is the president of Shriver Media, working alongside her former colleague Maria Shriver, running The Sunday Paper and all aspects of Shriver's media organization in addition to consulting with other media clients. In this episode, Jaclyn takes us behind the scenes of broadcast journalism, what it takes to break through, what it means to be a discerning executive, and how she thinks about media today.

Each author brings decades of experience and fascinating stories to the table:

Aliza Licht is an award-winning marketer, 2x author, host of the Leave Your Mark podcast, and personal branding expert with over twenty-five years of experience in the image-making fashion industry. Her new book, ⁠ON BRAND: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception.⁠ is part career book, part personal growth guide, and a comprehensive roadmap to building your personal brand so your name is dropped in rooms you're not in and that you're recommended for opportunities other people haven't even heard of yet.

In the WSJ bestseller, Wonderhell: Why Success Doesn't Feel Like It Should . . . and What to Do About It, Laura Gassner Otting leverages her 30-year-plus resume, defined by her entrepreneurial edge, to introduce the idea that success is often both a wonder and a hell. She answers the question: Why doesn't success feel like it should? What do we do with this confusing feeling, and how do we learn to live with this newfound potential that's both exciting and exhausting?

In The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger than Your Business Card, What Color Is Your Parachute? meets Out of Office in this inspiring, practical playbook. Christina Wallace, serial entrepreneur, podcaster, and Senior Lecturer of Entrepreneurial Management at Harvard Business School, shares her solution for anti-hustle culture and how having a "portfolio life" (rather than pouring yourself into one single full-time job) will help you future-proof your career and achieve a sustainable work-life balance while optimizing your happiness, personal growth, and bank accounts. 

As the WSJ best-selling author of Relentless, Natasha has gone from living as an Iowa homeless teen to achieving the entrepreneur dream. But unlike a typical homeless teen story, Natasha was not living in squalor. She was a classically trained violinist studying with a professor at Drake University. Her whole young life, however, was defined by living with a mother with mental illness and a father who did not do his part to protect her. At age 16, Natasha's father and, sadly, her younger brother dropped her off at a homeless shelter after her mother attempted to kill her. That was the culmination of years and years of verbal abuse. After that, she was unofficially emancipated.

In this extremely moving and inspiring LEAVE YOUR MARK episode, Natasha shares her story with unbelievable understanding and perseverance. She shows how her positive outlook and always seeing the best in people directed her path. While Natasha will always have to carry the heartache of her childhood with her, she has not let it stop her from achieving her dreams.

Today, Entire Productions is a go-to event and entertainment production company headquartered in San Francisco. With the support of her staff, Entire Productions' trusted expertise is relied upon to execute a slate of corporate special events for an enviable roster of clients, including Salesforce, Apple, Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and the like. They have been on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America for three years in a row. Her publishing company Poignant Press works with leaders to create impactful books that build on their authority while inspiring and motivating others.

Natasha's passion and commitment to giving back drive her invariable contributions and participation with numerous charitable organizations. Her current focus is raising awareness and funds for the Covenant House.

While Natasha maintains an active full plate, she always makes time for professional and personal enrichment. She is a proud Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (Babson College) graduate who studied entrepreneurship at the Harvard Business School and MIT. Her other prestigious industry memberships include The Recording Academy (Grammys), ASCAP, and various event industry organizations. She resides in Oakland, CA, and is a member and the communications "expert" for The Entrepreneurs' Organization.

Mastery Under Pressure gives CEOs and senior-level managers the additional professional and personal tools to excel and empower their teams and associates.

As a licensed psychotherapist and sports psychology consultant with over 40 years of experience, she has long understood that being good at your profession doesn't make you good at your job. Her ability to give high-performing executives the skills they need to work within any corporate culture has made Tina California's #1 Optimal Performance Specialist.

In this episode, Tina takes us through her process of creating a high-performance mindset, unlocking your inner athlete, and thriving in a highly competitive world. She shares her techniques for understanding clients' reasons for seeking help, exploring body sensations and patterns, and uncovering how past experiences shape present responses. She explains how mental toughness and resilience can be developed and taught and how limiting beliefs can be changed through examination and questioning, keeping a journal, recognizing and addressing unconscious biases, and aligning with personal values and truths.

In this episode, we discuss how to be a change agent in a corporate role, how to bring people on board, work cross-functionally, and motivate people who don't report to you to help execute a strategy. Andrea shares tips on being a project leader with vision, making each team feel essential to the outcome, and customizing the communication approach based on each audience's specific needs and preferences. We also discuss how mid-level employees can manage up by understanding their manager's goals better and ways they can be supportive.

Marcus's understanding of brand strategy and consumer behavior has helped him bridge the academic-practitioner gap for blue-chip brands and startups. He is a recipient of Advertising Age's 40 Under 40 award and Crain's Business' 40 Under 40 award and an inductee into the American Advertising Federation's Advertising Hall of Achievement. Most recently, he was recognized by Thinkers50 and Deloitte among their class of 2023 Radar List of 30 thinkers with the ideas most likely to shape the future.

Before joining Wieden+Kennedy, he served as the Chief Consumer Connections Officer at Doner Advertising and led Social Engagement at Steve Stoute's advertising agency, Translation. Before his advertising tenure, Marcus began his career in music and tech with a startup he co-founded before working on iTunes + Nike sport music initiatives at Apple and running digital strategy for Beyoncé. 

In this episode, we dive deep into marketing and where brands go wrong. We discuss why balancing short-term activation with long-term brand growth is essential and the danger of doing things to be seen rather than heard. Marcus shares his expertise on culture, why we need a language to define it, and the importance of perspective in shaping your worldview.

This episode will specifically focus on how to build a database from scratch and all the tools Norby has to offer- all of which I use for my marketing and especially my launch campaign for my new book, ON BRAND.

PLUS THIS EXCITING NEWS! LEAVE YOUR MARK x Norby are thrilled to announce the Brand Builder Grant, an unrestricted grant of $2,500 to a brand builder or small business owner looking for funding to achieve their marketing and business goals.

From the beginning, Norby's mission has been to lift up creative entrepreneurs. It started as a community; they know what it's like to build something from the ground up and how precious your resources are when you're just starting.

Our goal with this Grant, just as with Norby, is to lower the barrier to entry to marketing and growing your brand and business. To give small business owners, authors, podcasters, consultants, personal brand builders a place to showcase their work, create meaningful relationships with their audience, and grow their business.

Apply by June 2, 2023 for the LEAVE YOUR MARK x Norby Brand Builder Grant by texting BRAND to +1 888- 291-4241 or at leaveyourmark.norby.live.

In her new book, The Portfolio Life: How to Future Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout and Build a Life Bigger than Your Business Card, self-described "human Venn diagram," Christina Wallace adapts tried-and-true practices from the business sector to help you eschew the cult of ambition and experience the freedom of building the flexible, fulfilling, and sustainable life you want. Drawing on research, case studies, and her own experience, she walks you step-by-step through designing a strategy for the long haul. Because you deserve rest, relationships, and a rewarding career—not someday, but today. After all, you only live once.

Wallace talks about building a life like a portfolio rather than a linear career as disruptions become more frequent and diversification and flexibility become more valuable. The Portfolio Life is an anti-hustle, pro-rest approach to work-life balance, built on three tenets:

1. You are more than any one role or opportunity.
2. Diversification will help you navigate change and mitigate uncertainty.
3. When (not if) your needs change, you can and should rebalance.

In this episode, we discuss the idea of a portfolio career and how having multiple areas of expertise can be beneficial. Christina emphasizes the importance of recognizing the value of diverse experiences and networks and how a Venn diagram can identify areas of opportunity and help you connect the dots between many areas of expertise. Christina shares her startup failure story and how it's now a case study at Harvard. Though crushed and paralyzed, she got back on her feet by committing to 70 coffees in 30 days. You'll learn the three crucial questions she asked her network that brought her back in touch with her self-worth and clarified her next steps. 

As someone who has been with her company for over ten years and was promoted from within to CEO, Maricella is exploring the challenges and exciting opportunities to step up from her previous organizational role as COO to one of strategy and vision.

In this episode, we discuss Maricella's journey from war-torn El Salvador and her upbringing of resilience. We discuss how her side hustle of helping Janet Hanson, founder of the former 85 Broads, became Ellevate and how Maricella joined her efforts once she withdrew her application. Maricella recalls that was the tipping point, not just a decision based on one interview. She wanted to stay in New York, and she wanted to change the world.

As an outspoken Latina who readily shares her voice, Maricella expresses the importance of finding your allies and how you will be louder if you have people around you who can support you, even if you can't be loud yourself. We compare the difference between being a "generalist" versus niching down in your skills and how to think bigger, especially when you've been promoted within the same company. Maricella dispels the myth that only hard work gets you to the next level and that talking about your accomplishments and ensuring people know your value is the answer to getting ahead.

In a world where the lines between personal and professional are blurred, and we communicate nonstop in both obvious and subtle ways, getting your message right and learning how to market yourself is paramount to success and can determine which opportunities are presented to you or handed to someone else. How you show up in person, over email, and on social media communicates your personal brand. That brand deserves thoughtful cultivation and crafting as you shape your narrative, build your network, grow your confidence, and plot your future. 

Aliza Licht, a former fashion executive who successfully turned her communications expertise into a multimedia brand and consultancy, shares both personal and professional advice from her lived experiences and from expert contributors to help you discover what your brand is: who you already are, who you want to be, and how to ensure others see you that way. 

ON BRAND is ideal for anyone seeking personal development to help them level up, pivot professionally, or support through a transition. It's for the new graduate seeking their first job, the middle manager looking to level up, the executive who wants to become more notable, the entrepreneur building from scratch, the person who wants to pivot to a new career, the social media influencer who is their own brand—it's for anyone who wants to affect the way people perceive them and feel proud when they hear the words "that's so on brand for you."  

Laura frequently contributes to Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, Harvard Business Review, and Oprah Daily. Her entrepreneurial edge defines Laura's 30-year resume. She served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton's White House, helping shape AmeriCorps; left a leadership role at a respected national search firm to expand a tech start-up; and founded, ran, and sold her own global search firm. Her first book, Limitless, was a national bestseller.

In this episode, we discuss the definition of success and why it isn't an endpoint but a waypoint. Why working hard doesn't end when you succeed; every time you succeed, it just gets harder. We dive into the dangers of comparison culture but the importance of surrounding yourself with people who won't let you settle for mediocrity. And the reason you feel like an impostor is because you are somewhere you never thought you'd be.

In her new book, CLAIM YOUR CONFIDENCE: Unlock Your Superpower and Create the Life You Want, global thought leader, Christie’s Ambassador, and author of The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You, Lydia Fenet is back on LEAVE YOUR MARK to share hard-won wisdom on how to look within, overcome fear, and claim your strongest self.

Navigating a two-decade career at the world’s leading auction house while raising three children, Lydia had her own journey of learning self-assurance. Through relatable stories of big and small challenges, Lydia demonstrates that confidence isn’t something we are born with; instead, it is something that we learn by pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone and facing fears head-on. 

In this episode, we discuss why you should ask for forgiveness, not permission, how to create a "Teflon Shield," slam your imposter syndrome, get comfortable being uncomfortable, persist even when you want to give up, and untether yourself from what other people think about you, and more.

In this episode, we dive into what makes a strong brand, and the mental filter Noora employs to decipher what's on brand for goop. We talk about the importance of hiring experts and giving them the autonomy to do their best work, why you should be learning all the things you don't find interesting, what she looks for in a hire, and why if you want to succeed, you need to be useful. We also discuss what it's like to work for one of the most famous women in the world and how feeling lost in your career is natural but can also bring the gift of time and self-reflection.

She has spent over a decade building movements to fight for women's and girls' economic empowerment. Girls Who Code has taught over 500,000 girls through direct in-person computer science education programming, working to close the gender gap in the tech sector. Her newest non-profit, Moms First, advocates for policies to support moms impacted by the pandemic. Moms First believes America doesn't work if we don't work for moms.

Reshma is also the bestselling author of Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It's Different Than You Think) and Brave Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, Live Bolder. Her influential TED Talk: "Teach girls Bravery, not perfection," has more than 6.2 million views globally.

Beginning her career as an attorney and a Democratic organizer, Reshma surged onto the political scene as the first Indian American woman to run for US Congress. Her approach to movement building has been recognized broadly, and she's been covered in Fortune World's Greatest Leaders, Fortune's 40 under 40, WSJ magazine Innovator of the Year, Forbes Most Powerful Women Changing the World, and Fast Company, 100 Most Creative People.

In this episode, Reshma is incredibly transparent about her decisions, how she thinks about her priorities, and her passion for fighting injustice, particularly for women and girls. We discuss her career pivots and how she used to chase shiny objects in search of credibility before realizing that the only thing she wants now is to pass policies and see cultural change. We discuss the challenges mothers face in the workplace and the economic benefits of retaining women. Reshma would like nothing more than for corporate leaders to rip up their ERG playbooks and give working moms what they need– support and flexibility.

"The doctor said, 'You have a cyst the size of a golf ball in your right lung, and you need surgery immediately to remove it.' Everything about my life is before that call and after that call. It was such a defining moment."

After the surgery, Harper realized that she needed to prioritize her health and mental well-being, which led her to leave her job in the beauty industry and explore other career options. She eventually found a job with a boss who prioritized personal development and wellness, which gave her the accommodations she needed to take care of herself. It was that role and a chance meeting that would lead to her discovering her love of coaching.

After completing her certification in 2014 to become a professional coach, today Harper supports solopreneurs and small business owners in brainstorming, launching, and building their businesses. She is often referred to as the external COO/CMO of her client's businesses.

In 2018, after years of not finding content related to her rare condition that resonated with her, Harper launched Made Visible, a podcast that amplifies the stories of people living with or affected by invisible illness. In 2020, she began facilitating writing classes for the Made Visible community to give them a safe place to share, feel more seen and heard, and learn from established authors. She is working with companies to create content, community, and inclusivity amongst employees living with invisible illnesses to have and experience support from their employers.

In this episode, Harper and I discuss what it means to have health get in the way of a career and why it's imperative to prioritize and advocate for yourself in the workplace. We also dive into Harper's superior skills in making authentic connections, writing a compelling pitch, how she never fails to meet a deadline or a follow-up, and so much more.

During her career, Felita has served in senior positions, including those of Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer at Harlem's Fashion Row (HFR)/ICON360, Executive Vice President of Alexander Wang, and Senior Vice President of Donna Karan Collection (LVMH), where we worked together side by side for over a decade. She has a track record of increasing revenue, identifying innovative business opportunities, and cultivating partnerships with brands such as LVMH, Tapestry Group, Amazon, Nordstrom, and Pinterest.

In this episode, Felita discusses her journey in fashion and her experience as a Black woman who was supported early on for her talent and potential. Felita credits the leaders who provided her with mentorship, networking opportunities, and a sense of inclusion. From this experience, she believes that if black and brown individuals are given the same tools and opportunities, they too can feel and experience the same sense of belonging and success she has felt throughout her career.

In addition, we learn how Felita expertly taps her network and connects with one person to get to the next and next to get the introductions needed to make her projects happen. Felita also shares the difficult decisions she has made and why it's imperative NOT to get paralyzed in the now and to make any decision to see another tomorrow.

Felita is passionate about professional development and building a pipeline for marginalized and underrepresented businesses in a constantly evolving industry. In 2020, she earned a certificate from Cornell University in Diversity and Inclusion. Felita is a founding member of RAISEfashion, a nonprofit network of fashion industry leaders that provide pro-bono consultation to Black-owned businesses and individuals. Additionally, she is a thought leader for Open to All®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the principle that everyone should be welcomed regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, religion, or disability.

She advises brands in wholesale strategy, pipeline programs, merchandising, and diversity & inclusion. Among her business achievement awards are Fashion Group International Hilldun Business Innovation, Luxury Daily Women to Watch, Accessories Council Design Excellence Awards for Tech Innovation, BRAG, and Girl Scouts of Greater New York Women of Distinction.

When Bee became pregnant, she started cleaning up her beauty routine and found there were no sophisticated, clean options for fragrance. This was 2013 and the beginning of clean beauty as we know it today. Skincare and makeup had already made exciting strides, but fragrance was still stuck in another era where ingredients were almost intentionally murky. There was a lot to clear up, but Bee saw a lot of possibilities.

Ellis Brooklyn officially debuted in June 2015, named after her daughter, Ellis. Ellis Brooklyn is carried at Sephora, Ulta, Credo, Revolve, and many more retailers. At the beginning of Bee's beauty brand journey, she faced challenges being an Asian woman in an industry dominated by Caucasian French males. But being an outsider proved to be an asset and gave her a unique perspective and a distinct point of view in the beauty industry.

"I think in order to find what you love to do as your career. It's very similar to finding the love of your life. If you're going to fall in love with somebody or find a partner, you have to take a risk, and that's really putting yourself out there for whatever it is. It's terrifying. A lot of people are not willing to take that risk."

In this episode, Bee takes us on her journey and shares all the times she questioned herself on what she was doing. We talk about how she navigated her side hustle while maintaining her full-time job and how she organizes her time juggling her writing, company, and being a mom of two young daughters. Through her story, we learn how reinvention is always possible, but the older you get, the more commitment you have to put into it.

Catherine is an established marketing and communications leader and has worked for some of the most notable consumer brands, including Netflix and eBay, with more than 20 years of experience. Currently, she leads the consumer communications strategy for LinkedIn and serves as the company spokeswoman educating and inspiring people on how to think about and grow their careers. You can see her frequently on shows such as TODAY, Good Morning America, and CBS Mornings sharing insights on managing your career. Catherine's newsletter, Career Companion, is published monthly on LinkedIn.

In this episode, we cover the following:

• The best way (and hacks!) to search for a job on LinkedIn.
• What career cushioning means, and why you need to do it.
• Why despite increasing economic uncertainty, LinkedIn's new survey has found that most professionals feel confident in their career prospects.
• Should employees be bold right now and ask for raises?
• The most important soft skills employers are looking for now.
• The most in-demand skills employers are seeking out.
• Why it's about playing the long game of building a career, not solely focusing on your current job.
• Advice for people on how to network on Linkedin and get mentorship.
• What company culture means today.
• The best way to fortify your network.
• The top three most coveted roles right now.
• The best way to leave your mark on LinkedIn!

And more!

In this episode, Peter shares what it meant for him to pivot as a speaker during the pandemic and why having so much free time as someone with ADHD was a considerable challenge. He shares what it takes to get the media's attention with insider tips he knows better than anyone as the founder of HARO (Help a Reporter Out), a company he started that helps journalists find sources on deadline. Cision ultimately acquired it.

Peter's depth of experience in marketing, social media, and PR has made him an expert on what it takes to make people happy, and spoiler alert: a big bag of M&Ms can sometimes do the trick. We dive into the importance of learning about people and how small personalization touches can impact someone's experience with you or your brand, leave a lasting impression, and build loyalty.

Emily has daily covered high-profile trials from New York, including drug lord Joaquín Guzmán "El Chapo" Loera and R&B artist R. Kelly. She has also gained exclusive access to inmates, including El Chapo's wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro.

She had just finished covering El Chapo's trial when her editor asked if she was interested in covering the trial of Upper East Side con artist Anna "Delvey" Sorokin. Her answer: "Did anybody die?" Her editor said no, and Emily said, "I'm in." Going from her usual coverage of murder and heavy drugs to pursuing the trial of Anna Delvey seemed boring. That is until she met her.

In this episode, Emily shares what it takes to do her job. Spoiler alert: A LOT, and it's often dangerous. We dive deep into the challenges of covering high-profile cases, sacrificing her personal life for the endless pursuit of the story, and how she and Anna Delvey have become very "close, close, close" source and reporter friends, and regularly texting while Anna continues to be on house arrest.

In ON BRAND, I share my strategies for developing your own personal brand to ensure your name gets dropped in rooms you’re not in, and you are put in a position to succeed because people know the value you add. A well-defined personal brand can secure your professional longevity because what you do today may not be what you do tomorrow. I’ve spent over two decades immersed in the business of shaping perception. In my early years at high-fashion magazines, I observed how influence and taste are cultivated. When I moved to the corporate PR side, I learned what it takes to build a brand with cultural impact and longevity. I’ve worked with some of the most prestigious luxury brands and have been on some of the best marketing and communications teams in the fashion industry. 

But I never imagined that the same tactics and marketing principles I had applied to my corporate work for years would later be pivotal in rebranding myself. In doing so, I evolved from a corporate employee to someone with a multimedia personal brand that includes two books, a podcast, speaking engagements, newsletters, a private online community, and a creative brand marketing and digital strategy consultancy. It didn’t happen overnight; it took hard work, consistency, and passion. The good news: I’m about to share all my insider secrets with you in ON BRAND. I hope you enjoy listening to this introduction!

As a Black woman who was often the only or the first, Kimberly has made it her mission to move people of color, especially women, forward in the workplace. She also serves as the CEO of Bumbershoot, a boutique consulting firm that provides C-suite leadership, cultural and market insights for inclusive, equitable, and diverse representation across brand, content, product, and customer experience. She also serves as the founder and president of WOCRA (Women of Color Retail Alliance), supporting the careers of women of color in the retail industry through hard and soft skills training, leadership development, and networking opportunities. Kimberly sits on the board of BlueConic and Together Digital. WWD included Kimberly on their 50 Women in Power 2022 list.

This episode is full of incredible and truthful advice. Kimberly says it like it is, and here are some of the nuggets of wisdom she shares and more!

• What happens when you need to put your rising star on the shelf.
• Why being a personality hire has its benefits.
• How to advocate for what you want and show up like an owner.
• Why you should decline an offer that’s not getting you to NEXT.
• How to be a part of things before you are a part of things to prove to management that, yes, you do deserve that promotion.
• The reason women of color need to take roles that have financial responsibility.
• How to build the strength of your agency.
• The importance of being strategic about your next career move and ensuring it fits within the narrative you are trying to tell.
• Know what you’re good at and why it's important to be told what you're not good at.
• One reason people who say that are willing to help ghost you.

Peter is the founder of The Rahbar Group and has represented individuals and major companies in nearly every aspect of employment law and other workplace issues. After almost twenty years of representing major international corporate clients in high-profile matters, including over a decade as the chief employment attorney for Hearst, Peter has established a boutique employment practice representing individuals, including C-Suite executives, media personalities, and other professionals working in finance, media, sports, real estate, fashion, and tech. Peter has a unique perspective on workplace dynamics and trends due to the broad scope of his practice. He has real-time insight into hiring trends through his extensive experience in the negotiation and drafting of employment agreements, talent agreements, and separation agreements, and his specialty of representing individuals in negotiating non-competition agreements. Peter is also a tireless advocate for equal treatment in the workplace – representing and advising individuals in the negotiation, investigation, litigation, and mediation of employment disputes, including employment discrimination and harassment claims. Peter is based in New York City. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Pete and I dive into every major employment law issue in this episode and cover their do’s and don’ts. This is the episode you will save and play on repeat. The big topics we cover are layoffs, non-compete agreements, pay transparency laws, how to deal with harassment in the workplace, and so much more.

*This episode will provide commentary and tactical career advice from a workplace expert. It is not intended to provide legal advice or counsel.

Her new book, P.S.- We Made This: Super Fun Crafts That Grow Smarter + Happier Kids!, encourages parents (and kids!) to step away from the screens and help their littles learn essential sensory, motor, developmental, and life skills. From self-expression and imaginative play to problem-solving, these projects keep kids entertained, curious, and growing. Each chapter has simple out-of-the-box crafts, recipes, and ideas to engage kids of all ages.

Erica’s success is built not only on her artistic gifts but also on her belief that her network is her net worth. More than that, Erica is an expert on marketing brands and herself. Her pitches are successful because they come from an authentic place where what she asks for will ultimately benefit everyone. Erica has appeared on The Today Show, Rachael Ray, The Martha Stewart Show, E! News, among many others. She was a judge on TLC’s Craft Wars, and her work has been featured in Glamour, InStyle, Teen Vogue, Elle, Vogue, and The Wall Street Journal.

Erica’s personal brand is happiness, vibrant colors, and creativity, but what happens when you suddenly realize that your world isn’t? In this episode, Erica takes us along her journey from using her talents to bring joy to others to someone who bravely recognized when it was time to say goodbye to her old self and move forward personally and professionally.

In this episode, Aya takes us on her journey from her college days, where she trained as a Puppeteer, to that junior year college moment when she wanted to put off getting a job and instead applied for an experimental puppet theater fellowship. That opportunity would take her to Poland, the Czech Republic, France, Japan, and the UK, with the only rule that she could not have her feet on American soil for that entire year. That experience taught her to be courageous, independent, and resourceful in challenging circumstances; remember, there were no cell phones or laptops! Aya explains her transition to tech, how she remained fearless while tackling her new experiences, and what she has learned from her peers. She also shares why it's okay to be a beginner and that at various points in your career, you will be a beginner again and again, for better or worse, so you better start getting comfortable with it.

All four of my grandparents survived the Holocaust camps. They witnessed and persevered through the horror in several extermination camps in Poland and were ultimately liberated from Aushvitz. I don't consider myself a political person, and I am not an activist. Still, the recent public antisemitic incidents have made me feel responsible for using my platforms to educate on this. The media largely ignore antisemitism; if it is covered, it's usually covered incorrectly.

Carly Pildis is highly educated on this subject, and I hope you'll listen to this episode with an open mind. We all come from different perspectives, but I firmly believe in supporting everyone. But there are a lot of extremes at play right now, and we know that when things go to the extreme, whether at the far right or the far left, nothing good comes of it. I think you will learn a lot if you listen to the whole episode. Thank you in advance for your attention.

In this episode, Carly shares the demands of her role, educates on the forms of antisemitism, why it's critical to abolish it, and behind the scenes of the ADL tackling some of the biggest headlines of late. She sheds light on one of the real misnomers about antisemitism which is that it only affects Jews. Antisemitism is hugely corrosive to democracy.

"You'll see very well-meaning people be like, I support tolerance and support people of all faiths, and you're like, well, that's not really what antisemitism is. Antisemitism isn't about faith. It's about picking a group of people, an ethnic group, Jews, and blaming them for the world's ills, and sometimes that ends in violence or discrimination."

The ADL's Never is Now is the largest antisemitism conference in the world. It's happening on November 10th at the Javits Center. If you're thinking about antisemitism, want to learn about antisemitism, wanting to know what you can do about antisemitism, you can learn more here.

Thank you for listening,

Aliza

A fierce advocate for flexible remote work as a means for retaining female talent, Jenny is committed to placing women in the driver's seats of their careers so they can build lives rooted in confidence, intention, and optimism. In this episode, we discuss workplace trends, including Quiet Quitting, hustle culture, and the benefit of the limited engagement roles, aka "trying before you buy.” Jenny shares tactics for starting a gig, how to immerse quickly into a company even if it’s unorganized and there’s no direction, and why if you're a high performer, your role will be protected even during a time of layoffs.

She began her career at Cisco, but her path would eventually lead her back to her family-owned business. Today, as CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals, she oversees financing, partnerships, and strategy for the company. She led the raise of a $5M seed round and a licensing agreement with Hyloris Pharmaceuticals for the company's lead product.

But along her journey to this point, she had to work harder to prove herself as someone who could handle the role when she was always the youngest and only woman in the room. Not to mention, most of her father's colleagues knew her from birth. Hitha learned that being herself was the best strategy, and instead of conforming to the conservative nature of her work environment, she would lean into her personal flair.

Hitha's sense of style and mompreneur juggling know-how has made her a must-follow. Her longtime blog, Hitha On The Go, established her as an authority on lifestyle topics and gave way to her book How To Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip. She's collaborated with leading brands (Delta, Headspace, and Google) and has a highly engaged Instagram following and newsletter. She curates the Webby-honored #5SmartReads every weekday, which reaches nearly 100,000 accounts.

In this episode, Hitha shares how she learned to show up in rooms where she was the minority while still being true to herself. She explains how she developed a confident voice. Spoiler alert: The answer for her lay in talking less, being firm, and establishing boundaries. Her mantra of "stop talking and listen more" is written on post-its on her computer. Ironic advice considering she's the author of WE'RE SPEAKING: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris, someone she credits as a virtual mentor who has taught her to embrace rejection and never be put in a box.

In her new book Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business, Jenny teaches that it's not about working as little as possible. Nor is it about creating a lifestyle business purely for one's own gain. It is about creating a life-giving business that energizes everyone who is a part of it, from the owner to team members, clients, and the community. Free Time is about making small investments now to create greater optionality in the future. It's a playbook to free your mind, time, and team for your best work. This book will teach you and your team to operate efficiently and intuitively while earning abundantly, so you can make your greatest contribution as a business owner. You'll learn much from Jenny's philosophy, even if you're not a business owner.

In this episode, Jenny shares how to go from friction to flow in all areas of your life, how micro guilt and focusing on what you should have done is not benefiting you, and so much more!

After creating her personal illustration, Justice, reacting to COVID, the election, George Floyd, and the ongoing cause for BLM, the partnership inquiries started coming in. Suddenly, Lo was an in-demand artist. For someone who had never considered starting her own company, she faced the reality that one was beginning around her. Today, Lo is an NYC-based artist, educator, and children’s book illustrator, who uses bright colors, strong figures, and relational compositions to create celebratory work that promotes visions of a better world. The important themes incorporated into Lo’s work deal with social justice, female empowerment, and mental wellness. With an impressive client list including Amazon, Old Navy, Hulu, Warby Parker, Bombay Sapphire, and the United Nations, Lo Harris will inspire you to find a way to use your voice. She’s even been on The Ellen Show.

As someone who sincerely wants to abolish gatekeeping, Lo dedicates time to educating other artists on the business. She has created her business with intention, clarifying her own brand pillars and vision for a Lo Harris Universe, which will evolve into a future lifestyle brand.

In this episode, Lo takes us along her journey from the days when she had to fake it til she made it to today and how she structures her business and time. She shares why she is building a team around her instead of waiting to be chosen by an agency and why she’s not waiting for brands to call her. This episode will leave you motivated and inspired!

Love, passion, and dedication are part of the recipe Melissa has followed both in business and life. Today the company operates 14 stores and has sold over 150 million cupcakes. Every cupcake is made by hand using only the most delicious ingredients. Bite-sized flavors, gift boxes for every occasion, and custom nationwide shipping packaging ensure their treats arrive safe and fresh. Baked by Melissa has become an endlessly popular gift-giving brand across the U.S., and Melissa has one goal: to be happy and make people happy, one bite at a time.

In this episode, Melissa transparently shares how she gathered the courage to take on the CEO role after eight years in the business. As the face and keeper of the brand, Melissa knows firsthand what it takes to create and maintain a strong brand and why she won't compromise on those principles. Melissa's strong work ethic and belief that your team is everything contribute to her success. She also believes in the importance of surrounding yourself with people who have the skills you don't. This episode is a refreshing breath of fresh air because Melissa is as real as they come. We also learn how she came up with her now famous Green Goddess salad with her 21 million views on TikTok and made by Lizzo!

Nicole had no choice but to learn the language of money, and empowering people to embrace and understand it has been her goal ever since. Nicole started out making $20K a year and getting into almost as much credit card debt. She never worked at a bank and didn't have an MBA. "I wasn't born into wealth or privilege. There were days when I didn't have food to put in my mouth, much less a silver spoon. For much of my early career, I either lived paycheck to paycheck, was in debt, and/or subsisted on a brown-rice-and-beans diet (it felt fancier than ramen). I tell you this because if I could become Miss Independent—totally financially set up and secure on my own—then anyone can, including you. I promise." 

Miss Independent is your best friend who knows and shares all the ins and out of saving money and investing it meaningfully. You don't have to understand finance to heed Nicole's advice. With in-depth tutorials and humor to boot, Nicole can transform your mindset to begin to think differently. In this episode, Nicole shares that she may not have been a financial expert, but she was an expert in being broke, and writing her four bestselling books was her way of teaching everything necessary to learn the language of finance. Nicole calls on a lot of BS cliches, and one of them, which she shared, was "knowledge is power," instead, Nicole says that 'action is power.' Nicole also points out that women can have it all, only if you define what 'it all' means for you and then stick to it rather than changing the goal post.

JoAnna began her career in financial services before transitioning into luxury retail, where she supported teams at Gucci and Ralph Lauren as an e-commerce analyst. JoAnna realized that female-focused brands were not doing their part to solve female-focused problems as her career shifted through various industries. Then, Revelle was born out of her desire to address this glaring disconnect. Charged by her passion for change, Revelle is rejecting the norms of building a traditional "fashion" company and transforming the way women shop online.

In this episode, JoAnna shares that pivoting doesn't necessarily mean that you have failed or your time has been wasted. She explains why you should aim to fail at least once a day. We dive into her non-linear path and learn the fun fact that JoAnna has a plethora of CVs, each telling a different story about her experience. As a new founder, JoAnna shares what it's like to build something from scratch, including the stark reality of loneliness in the beginning.

In this episode, Fran shares the importance of creating a “smile file,” having workplace champions, and why you need to build out a diverse network. She also warns about not falling prey to “distractors” at work. As an introvert, Fran shares some valuable advice on how to network, why you need to speak up no matter where you are in your career, and so much more.

This episode is one big life lesson. Hal preaches why cancel culture has gone too far, the merits of acquiring joy each day, and why you should focus on one thing you can accomplish today. He warns about the dangers of following someone else’s opinion and why you’re being judged just like a book jacket no matter where you go. Hal’s pro tip: dress like a best seller. Most importantly, Hal is banishing aging gracefully and replacing it with aging with excitement. He’s just getting started, and after you listen to this episode, you will also be. 

As the founder and CEO of Zibby Owens Media, Zibby is determined to help busy people live their best lives by connecting to books and each other. Her brand Moms Don’t Have Time To, is the home for Zibby’s award-winning podcasts (Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books and Sex Tok), publications (including two anthologies), and communities. Zibby Books is a publishing home for fiction and memoir, which she co-founded with Leigh Newman. She’s also a regular columnist for Good Morning America, Katie Couric Media, and Moms Don’t Have Time to Write on Medium.

In this episode, Zibby transparently shares her advice for pushing through the pain of rejection, how every day she learns how to let go of her Type A personality, and why when things go wrong, it’s not the right time for them to happen. Zibby continues to make the joy of writing and her love of books the centerpiece of her own bookends.

Beginning in 2008 at 23 as a newly minted assistant at CNN and as Wall Street was crashing down, she began discovering a group of scrappy misfits rising from the ashes of the recession to change the world: the tech entrepreneurs. Seeing this space as an area no one at CNN was covering, she wrote a job description and pitched it. Over a decade, Laurie became one of the first reporters to give airtime to many of these founders—from Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey to Kevin Systrom and Travis Kalanick —while tracking their evolution and society’s cultural shift in the CNN startup beat she created. By the end of her tenure at CNN, she had become its on-air senior technology correspondent. She had witnessed the rise of second-wave tech, from the boom to the “complicated years” to the backlash, as her misfits emerged as some of the world’s most influential leaders. Her book, Special Characters: My Adventures with Tech’s Titans and Misfits is a memoir detailing her career journey with early access to some of the most influential people in the world during a time when they still answered their own phones.

In this episode, Laurie shares her rise in investigative journalism, her struggles with the silent death of a thousand cuts of sexism in her industry, and how she learned to fight for what she knew was rightly hers. She shares that to be successful at something, you must immerse yourself in it, have the guts to ask for what you want when an opportunity presents itself, say yes, and learn how to tackle it as you go along.

Because of my fashion background and experience with Anna, this episode turned into a very candid discussion covering the complexities of what it is like to work with Anna, who benefits from her loyalty, and who gets left in the dust when she decides that you're radioactive. Amy and I go deep into Anna's complicated and often controversial decisions, including the defense of the antisemitic John Galliano and Georgina Chapman during the height of the Harvey Weinstein #MeToo movement. Whatever you think you know about Anna Wintour, this book and episode will shed a different light on someone who has seized and held power for over 34 years and shows no signs of being dethroned any time soon.

As CEO, Nicole is responsible for the organization's leadership, strategic vision, and growth initiatives with a focus on empowering the next generation of women and BIPOC leaders to up-level the entire industry. With more than 20 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, Nicole joined the underdog venture team from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where she was the head of brand marketing and engagement. Before joining LA28, Nicole was the chief marketing officer for Legends, and Nicole spent five years as the managing director of ticket and digital for the United States Tennis Association (USTA). She started her career in marketing at Madison Square Garden and the New York Knicks. She has earned Sports Business Journal's "40 Under 40" and "Power Players" honors while also being named one of Sports Illustrated's "100 Influential Black Women in Sports".

In this episode, Nicole shares the secrets to her success which stem from what her husband calls her secret sauce: infinite tenacity and being indispensable. Nicole's journey is a lesson in taking chances and seeing the opportunity in everything, even if at the time it doesn't fit the exact mold of what you expected. We talk about the importance of shifting your perspective on what is best for the team instead of personal gain and why she believes in harmony over balance. Nicole got comfortable feeling uncomfortable years ago, and she shares why you should too.

Entrepreneurship always runs under the surface, though. In December 2020, Liz acquired Figure, a New York-based luxury resort-wear brand, most notable for their kaftans, dresses, and soft separates, that she is a fan and customer of. Today, she is the CEO and Creative Director, intending to continue the brand’s legacy of dressing fashionable women around the world while also expanding its categories and reach.

In this episode, Liz delightfully shares her truth- the good, the bad, and the scandalous. She transparently explains her rise from building her incredible brand with no design or business background to recognizing where she was falling short. We dive into her leadership style and expectations and how her childhood has shaped her perspective. She takes us on her new journey with Figure and why she believes her second act will be just as exciting as the first.

Hands down (no pun intended), Deborah Lippmann is the leading authority in the wildly competitive nail category. Established in 1999, Deborah Lippmann was founded on an ethos of quality meets care. Informed by her years on the red carpet, fashion runways, and editorial, the award-winning brand reflects her ultra-high standards in terms of product performance. It is crafted to nourish and support nails and skin. Time and again, she's broken new ground and pioneered innovative practices in both the editorial and brand arenas. Her business is a family affair, working with her husband and brother since its inception.

Deborah is the go-to manicurist for an awe-inspiring list of celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Lupita Nyong'o, Laura Dern, and Lady Gaga, to name just a few. She also enjoys stellar fashion cred through her backstage magic for such houses as Chanel, Balenciaga, Dior, and Versace. But it's in Deborah Lippmann's eponymous brand, that her creativity and business acumen truly shines. She has been crowned a "mega-manicurist" by Vogue and "one of the best manicurists in the country" by Allure.

But Deborah never gave up her first dream to be a jazz singer. She has a degree in music from Arizona State University, has recorded three albums, and has her own iTunes and Spotify channels. Deborah has performed in numerous New York City clubs, including The Carlyle, Feinstein's, and The Rainbow Room. She has sung the national anthem multiple times at Madison Square Garden and recently for the Minneapolis Twins.

In this episode, Deborah shares how she navigated her true passion as a professional jazz singer– a lifelong love and also began a journey that would lead to building a luxury nail brand. We discuss the intimacy of her business, how to build authentic relationships and the secret to her longevity and success. Plus, the behind-the-scenes of what it's like working with Hollywood's biggest stars during award season!

In 2009, Gabby was featured in The New York Times as a "guru" for the next generation. The Oprah Winfrey Network chose Gabby to be part of the "SuperSoul 100," a dynamic group of trailblazers whose vision and life's work bring a higher consciousness level to the world. Gabby connects with her community through her Miracle Membership and her podcast Dear Gabby.

In this episode, Gabby shares her personal path from trauma to freedom. She explains the importance of showing up for yourself and how if you do, you will be able to show up in other areas of your life. Gabby teaches the differences between trauma with a capital T and a small t, how to broach trauma with your boss, undo the patterns that make you stuck in the past, and so much more.

Today, Adam has amassed an enormous social media following, with over 3.7 million followers on TikTok and nearly half a million on Instagram, not to mention his growing YouTube. He's one of the most beloved creators with A-list brand deals, known for his viral comedy sketches, dances, and "lovely" wife, a character he plays opposite himself. In this episode, Adam and I unpack the question, "What drives the other: Does the traditional career drive a social following, or does a social following drive your traditional career?" It's an interesting debate. We dive into the story of digital identity and the famous blue cardigan that his fans are obsessed with, and how his community reacts to his content. Adam shares his content strategy, secrets to creativity, production schedule, and a typical day in his life. The whole episode is like a hug in your ear, full of warmth, comedy, and advice.

Mandy was misdiagnosed as bipolar and later diagnosed with ADHD with Trauma, which has fueled her passion for offering accessible mental health resources for anyone and everyone. Co-founded with Selena Gomez and Daniella Pierson, Wondermind is a multimedia company that destigmatizes and democratizes mental health in a way that has never been done before.

In this episode, Mandy shares her incredible and heartfelt journey. From her mental health struggles to being a teenage mom, she authentically shares how her career came to be despite her misdiagnosis as being bipolar. With a dream of storytelling in entertainment, Mandy has made some of the biggest contributions to normalizing the mental health discussion in Hollywood.

In this episode, Chrissy shares her journey breaking into fashion with tactical advice on how to make sure your bosses never forget you, how to be politely persistent, what it means to know your value, and how to know when to leave your job. She also transparently shares her struggle with mental health and her mission to make diversity and inclusion in fashion a mainstay of the present and future.

Frustrated by a lack of women’s workwear options that were stylish and practical, she teamed up with Miyako Nakamura and Narie Foster to launch M.M.LaFleur in 2013. Their mission is to help women take the work out of getting dressed, so they can focus on the work that matters to them. The brand is known for its functional design details, comfort (like go ahead and nap in these clothes), and no “dry cleaning necessary” pieces. The brand is also doing its part in supporting women where it counts most. Passionate about seeing more women run for office, M.M. LaFleur has loaned clothing to over 275 female candidates. Since 2017, they have partnered with Bottomless Closet o help disadvantaged women in the NYC area jumpstart their careers, making it possible for women to donate their workwear at either M.M. LaFleur store in NYC or DC. They also offer special discounts to the military, veterans, medical professionals, first responders (including government and public service workers), and teachers.

In this episode, Sarah shares her origin story and the struggles she dealt with after thinking she had destroyed her career. She explains why sometimes the answer to depression is just to keep moving forward. We talk about how her mother is her biggest inspiration, how to use your clothes to send powerful messages, and much more.

Today, Stacy has faced her fear of the unknown and redefined what it means to be Stacy London. As the CEO of State of Menopause, a company she acquired a year ago, Stacy is helping women understand this next phase of life, not just through their products. It's her mission to make talking about menopause as normal as talking about pregnancy. But beyond that, Stacy is proving that there is a Renaissance for older women, and it's no coincidence that during the pandemic, they are starting companies in droves.

In this episode, Stacy shares her story in an authentic way her fans know and love. She shares her struggle to find her new place in this world and what it was like to experience a life-altering change that she wasn't prepared for. She shares the real story of running a startup as a CEO with no experience and how she's learning as she goes. Stacy's truth will resonate with so many, and the more we open up these conversations, the better we will all be.

In this episode, Jennifer shares her remarkable journey starting with the minute she graduated, and her Dad told her she had two weeks to get a job. She shares the importance of perseverance and following your dream, even if you don't think it's in your wheelhouse. According to Jennifer, if you have the confidence to bring your passions to the world, everything else can be figured out. Jennifer taught herself every aspect of her business, and her success reminds us that we all have a dream we are afraid to utter, so give yourself permission to say it out loud and go for it.

Dorie Clark wants you to know that everyone is too busy to think about you.  Named the #1 Communication Coach in the world at the Marshall Goldsmith Coaching Awards, she preaches that if you don't take control of your narrative, no one will ever know your story. Her new book, The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World, is a Wall Street Journal bestseller and rejects the relentless pressure in our culture that pushes us toward doing what's easy, what's guaranteed, or what looks glamorous in the moment. In The Long Game, she argues for a different path. It's about doing small things over time to achieve our goals. After all, everyone is allotted the same 24 hours—but with the right strategies, you can leverage those hours in more efficient and powerful ways than you ever imagined. In this episode, Dorie shares her tried and true tactics, how playing the long game can yield success, and why 20% of your time should be spent on speculative projects that have nothing to do with your day job. As Dorie says, when you're working toward something, you will not always see results right away. Sometimes it takes months or even years. You might think that it's not working, but the truth is it's just not visible. That's when Dorie advises looking for the raindrops--- the subtle signs of progress. Just like when you see the clouds forming and feel the first drop of rain, you know the rainstorm is coming. 

In light of her own family tragedy and personal struggles, Kristen formulated a plan to regain sight of her goals. In this episode, Kristen takes us through the daily path she follows. A series of life lessons, including Begin, Focus, Commit; Love is a Choice; and Stay in Your Lane, guide this inspirational episode about the attainability of happiness. If It's Not Right, Go Left teaches that connection, communication, and collaboration bring the change needed to pivot towards one's achievable goals. 

In this episode, you'll learn how Tina made the hard decision to look at her own business and re-evaluate how she was spending her time, how to leave the things that don't work, outsource things you're not good at, and make sure that your vision and purpose guides the path no matter where it brings you.

Whether you're a founder, a corporate executive, or hope to be one day, this episode is full of insider advice on everything from Alisa's tactics on how she built her initial client base to how she coaches her clients on leadership. Alisa speaks to what they need to be effective and how to handle self-doubt, failure, and anxiety. She stresses the importance of grit and resilience and why building your track record as someone good to work with can open a host of opportunities.

This week I'm proud to share the 100th episode of the LEAVE YOUR MARK podcast. When I thought about who could possibly be my 100th guest, I looked no further than Corey duBrowa, Vice President of Global Communications and Public Affairs at Google. I first learned about Corey when he was SVP Global Communications at Starbucks (a role he held for almost eight years). As a former publicist myself, Corey has always been the gold standard for communications executives. With more than 20 years as a communicator of ideas, Corey has long been considered one of the top corporate communicators in the US. He just topped PRWeek's 2021 US Power List, ranking #7 out of the 50 communications leaders. In this episode, you'll learn how Corey has been able to radically shift between industries, the great learnings he has absorbed from the founders he has worked for, and why he wakes up every day excited to start again.

Prior to being the Editor-In-Chief at Fashionista.com, McCall spent most of her career rising in the ranks at the platform. From being an intern, editorial assistant to senior associate editor, Tyler's fashion interest eventually led her to a brief experience as Digital Fashion Editor at Teen Vogue and Social Media Manager at Vogue, before returning back to Fashionista.com as Deputy Editor. During her climb, she learned some valuable lessons, all of which she shares in this episode.

As a loyal fan of Gossip Girl, she now channels that dedicated energy into #WaldorfWednesdays, a recurring series dedicated to Blair Waldorf's style, and #SerenaSaturdays, devoted to Serena van der Woodsen's style on her Instagram. After becoming an expert on the subject, she was invited to lend a hand when the show rebooted, proving that your fan passion can lead to unique opportunities.

Prior to founding Madison Reed, Amy was a General Partner responsible for the Bay Area office of Maveron; a leading venture capital firm co-founded by former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz - focused on investments in consumer facing companies. Before Maveron, Amy was CEO of Olivia, where she repositioned the travel business as a complete lifestyle company and also where she was delivered her biggest career blow. Amy is the proof that women belong at the top. Amy founded Madison Reed with over 30 years of business and operating expertise as a four-time entrepreneur, venture capitalist and social-mission visionary. In 2015 and 2018, Amy was named one of the "Bay Area's Most Influential Women in Business" by the San Francisco Business Times. She was also a finalist for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Award in the Northern California region, which she won in 2006 for the consumer category. She was also featured on Fast Company’s first ever Queer 50 list of LGBTQ women and nonbinary innovators in business and tech in 2020. In this episode, Amy shares her truths in both her failures and successes. If you want a tutorial on how to be a leader and inspire greatness, this is the episode for you.  

Darcy's mom worked for Diana Vreeland, and her after-school activities included being dragged to the MET. She would watch them work on the MET shows while she did her homework. That creative environment left an impression on Darcy that would inspire her future career. She, of course, didn't know that at the time. Beginning her career early, Darcy flexed her artistic muscle as a college entrepreneur, but after college, she was faced with a fork in the road decision: Interview to be Anna Wintour's assistant OR become the assistant to Martha Stewart, who was launching a start-up magazine. Going with her gut and following her crafting passion, she went on the road less traveled and has never looked back. Today, Darcy is the founder of Darcy Miller Designs, culminating over twenty-five years of cultivating and creating inspiration and ideas for all things celebrations. 

In this episode, you will learn to view every day as a celebration and why capturing those memories builds the foundation for long-term happiness and meaningful relationships. Darcy also shares how to choose the right path when you're faced with more than one direction and so much more.

When Kate left her role as partner of Paul Wilmot Communications after 21 years of experience, she thought that she left her network behind. A chance meeting that she almost didn't take pushed her outside her realm and comfort zone and landed her as Head of Marketing at iStar. Without that experience, she doesn't believe she would have founded KDC today. 

In this episode, you'll learn how Kate channels her physical fitness challenges to inspire her professional risk-taking and how it taught her that she could do anything she sets her mind to with that same passion. She'll share how she tackles goal setting as her own boss and how with a mantra of never burning bridges, she is now tapping into her network to invite them on her journey. You will learn why your network is not a pile of business cards but relationships that need to be nurtured. You'll also understand why every conversation is worth having, even when you don't see the value at the time.

But along her journey, Ruthie came face to face with her demons, ultimately hitting rock bottom and then coming out the other side. As the co-founder of The Chain, a non-profit peer support network for women in fashion, media, & entertainment who are struggling with or recovering from an eating disorder, she is building a community where no one has to struggle alone. In this episode, Ruthie shares her story,  life lessons, and aspirations, all with sincerity and humor.  

In this episode, you will learn about loyalty and passion for working for a brand and Founder you genuinely believe in. You will see why the willingness to roll up your sleeves and do whatever it takes makes you indispensable. You'll learn what it takes to make something buzzy in Hollywood, and the answer will surprise you. On the corporate front, you will also learn Jackie's tactics for understanding when you should speak up or not speak up, which is an underrated skill in managing complicated issues at work. 

Alyssa is now a celebrated stylist, speaker, and architectural and interiors photographer with over 900 features of work regularly found on the pages and sites of the world’s leading shelter and lifestyle publications, including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, HGTV Magazine, and PEOPLE. She works with clients who are designers and architects to communicate their brand and expand their digital footprint. She has helped grow many small businesses over the years.

Her book, The New Southern Style, is a  vibrantly illustrated exploration of 30 designers, artists, celebrity chefs, authors, and creative entrepreneurs who are reinventing Southern culture, along with tips for styling and soulful thoughts for living a creative life. The images and stories are meant to bring light and inspire stillness in a world that never stops to reflect. But as Alyssa will tell you, she needed to face her shadows before stepping into the light. As one of the only Jewish families in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she faced discrimination and ridicule. On top of that, Alyssa's childhood was emotionally and financially unstable. She hopes this book will inspire creative courage.

In this episode, Alyssa shares her secrets to a holistic self-care approach, how to use fear as a tool for your own empowerment and why you need to reframe your inner dialogue and why you need to release in order to receive the gifts life has to offer. 

Lydia's widely acclaimed book, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You: Command an Audience and Sell Your Way to Success, equips you with the essential tools of the trade and reveals Lydia's strategies behind her revolutionary sales approach so that every reader feels empowered to tap into their own power and achieve results in any setting. She is currently writing her second book, The Most Confident Woman in the Room is You.

Having developed key skills over a fifteen-year career on stage, Lydia is a keynote speaker and travels internationally lecturing on topics ranging from women's empowerment, unlocking sales potential, and empowering teams in the workplace. She was named one of New York's most influential women by Gotham magazine and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Crain's, Elle, and has appeared in Vanity Fair, Women's Wear Daily, Vogue, and Town & Country.

In this episode, Lydia shares her tips on how to sell anything using a clever combination of intelligence, personality, and humor. She explains why you should get your foot in the door of your dream company and worry about the role later, see the positives in every task (even being the company's paper shredder!) and how to make sure you get paid what you're worth.

In this episode, Margi shares her editorial journey, complete with the highs and lows of rising to Editor-in-Chief, being fired, and even dealing with sexual harassment from a former boss. She authentically shares her learnings from being forced to push past her comfort level, how she rewrote her own story, and why, in her free time, she is helping women tell their stories pro bono.

With an astute ear for content and presentation, Jillian understands where you need to go and how to get you there. She is a media consultant, presentation trainer, and speechwriter for CEOs of the world's largest e-commerce companies, executives of Fortune 500 companies, founders of successful startups, professional athletes at the top of their game, A-list celebrities, and best-selling authors. 

In this episode, you'll learn tactical tips on how to master what she calls the three C's" of effective communication and her top five secrets of being a great communicator. In addition, she will share how to leverage the power of storytelling, authenticity, and transparency and how to use your voice to influence others, memorably tell your story, and control the narrative.

Jade was on track to become a stylist, attending the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago for fashion marketing and management. However, in her final year, Jade learned how to use graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign and fell in love with them. Pursuing this love, after graduation, she spent six months creating her portfolio. She made up imaginary artist mentors and began modeling the way they presented themselves. Self-taught, Jade's work stood for itself, and she landed a full-time art director role. Eventually, Jade built up her clientele and skills, breaking away from her day job to pursue her entrepreneurial goals. 

In this episode, Jade will share how she intuitively learned to trust the process, launched her business, gets creative, deals with burnout, client load, and copycats. With advice well beyond her years, she shares sage insights on how to prepare for the moment your season comes. As Jade says, things don't necessarily happen in the minute you want them to, but you better be prepared for when they do!

In this episode, Sasha recounts her rise in fashion, incredible stories from the heyday of fashion, and why she got fired from Vanity Fair. Hint: it has something to do with Carolina Herrera's puppies. She shares the lessons she gratefully learned early and why she ultimately walked away from her dream career to prioritize a life well lived with her family.

As a pioneer in brand and talent partnerships, Sharon created the music and entertainment division at Ford and the VIP services division at Starworks before launching her own company in 2012. Sharon co-founded SHO+CO with Allison Oleskey, a bi-coastal fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment agency focused on celebrity and influencer initiatives, including product placement, collaboration deals, and talent booking for everything from global events to ad campaigns.

In this episode, you will learn how Sharon identified a void in the industry and ideated how to fill it, why creating trust in relationships will lead to long-time collaboration, the importance of respecting the team around the talent, and her expert methods in negotiating partnerships.

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