It’s the season of giving—and today, we’re unwrapping one of the most transformative gifts of all: the gift of mirrors. In this episode, Shannon sits down with Dr. Sheila Gujrathi, biotech entrepreneur, physician, and trailblazer whose career has taken her from Harvard to the helm of Gossamer Bio—and into the heart of human-centric leadership. You may know her from her TED Talk, “Shattering the Glass Ceiling by Finding the Right Mirrors,” and her book, The Mirror Effect, which helps leaders everywhere see themselves—and each other—more clearly. Together, Shannon and Sheila explore how to shatter the glass ceilings not only above us, but within us. They discuss how fear, insecurity, doubt, and shame—the “FIDS,” as Sheila calls them—can quietly hold us back, and how surrounding ourselves with mirrors who see our brilliance can change everything. From learning to “have your own back,” to creating your personal board of directors, this episode is a reminder that confidence begins when we start believing the reflections that lift us higher. Watch on YouTube: <a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV_mAbu_N0g'>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV_mAbu_N0g</a>✨ This December, give yourself the gift of belonging—and pass it on. 💖 Host Note from Shannon: As I wrapped this conversation, one moment stood out—when Sheila said that our deepest fear isn’t inadequacy, but our own light. That line still gives me chills. This episode reminded me that being human-fueled isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. It’s about seeing the fire in others and fanning it with encouragement. So as you gather around your own tables this holiday season, may you remember: we all belong. And sometimes, the best gift we can give is simply to hold up a mirror and say, “I see you.”  💬 Gems from Dr. Sheila Gujrathi: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” “I realized the glass ceiling I had heard about since I was a little girl wasn’t just above me—it was inside of me.” “We all have FIDS: fear, insecurity, doubt, and shame. Just naming them is freeing—because once you see them, they no longer have to rule you.” “Having your own back is precious—because once you find it, no one can take that away from you.” “Leadership is independent of position or title. We’re all leaders in our own lives, and we can all be mirrors for someone else.” “If I could bottle up that feeling of belonging, I would take it every day—and give it to everyone I know.”  🔗 Episode Resources &amp; Links: 🌐 <a href='https://sheilagujrathimd.com'>Dr. Sheila Gujrathi Website</a> 📘 The Mirror Effect: A Transformative Approach to Growth for the Next Generation of Female Leaders – <a href='https://sheilagujrathimd.com/book/'>https://sheilagujrathimd.com/book/</a> 🎥 <a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DpDx6T3-X4'>TED Talk: “Shattering the Glass Ceiling by Finding the Right Mirrors”</a> 💼 <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-gujrathi-md/'>Connect with Dr. Sheila Gujrathi on LinkedIn</a> 💼 <a href='https://www.instagram.com/sheilagujrathimd/'>Follow Dr. Sheila Gujrathi on Instagram</a>   EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'>Empowering Women in Industry Membership</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'>Empowering Women in Industry Magazine</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'>Empowering Women in Industry Website</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt; It’s the season of giving—and today, we’re unwrapping one of the most transformative gifts of all: &lt;b&gt;the gift of mirrors&lt;/b&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Shannon sits down with &lt;b&gt;Dr. Sheila Gujrathi&lt;/b&gt;, biotech entrepreneur, physician, and trailblazer whose career has taken her from Harvard to the helm of Gossamer Bio—and into the heart of human-centric leadership. You may know her from her TED Talk, &lt;em&gt;“Shattering the Glass Ceiling by Finding the Right Mirrors,”&lt;/em&gt; and her book, &lt;em&gt;The Mirror Effect&lt;/em&gt;, which helps leaders everywhere see themselves—and each other—more clearly. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, Shannon and Sheila explore how to shatter the glass ceilings not only above us, but &lt;em&gt;within&lt;/em&gt; us. They discuss how fear, insecurity, doubt, and shame—the “FIDS,” as Sheila calls them—can quietly hold us back, and how surrounding ourselves with mirrors who see our brilliance can change everything. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From learning to “have your own back,” to creating your personal board of directors, this episode is a reminder that confidence begins when we start believing the reflections that lift us higher. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watch on YouTube: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV_mAbu_N0g'&gt;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV_mAbu_N0g&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✨ &lt;b&gt;This December, give yourself the gift of belonging—and pass it on.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;💖 Host Note from Shannon:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As I wrapped this conversation, one moment stood out—when Sheila said that our deepest fear isn’t inadequacy, but our own light. That line still gives me chills. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode reminded me that being &lt;em&gt;human-fueled&lt;/em&gt; isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. It’s about seeing the fire in others and fanning it with encouragement. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So as you gather around your own tables this holiday season, may you remember: we all belong. And sometimes, the best gift we can give is simply to hold up a mirror and say, &lt;em&gt;“I see you.”&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;💬 Gems from Dr. Sheila Gujrathi:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“I realized the glass ceiling I had heard about since I was a little girl wasn’t just above me—it was inside of me.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“We all have FIDS: fear, insecurity, doubt, and shame. Just naming them is freeing—because once you see them, they no longer have to rule you.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Having your own back is precious—because once you find it, no one can take that away from you.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Leadership is independent of position or title. We’re all leaders in our own lives, and we can all be mirrors for someone else.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“If I could bottle up that feeling of belonging, I would take it every day—and give it to everyone I know.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;🔗 Episode Resources &amp;amp; Links:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🌐 &lt;a href='https://sheilagujrathimd.com'&gt;Dr. Sheila Gujrathi Website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 📘 &lt;em&gt;The Mirror Effect: A Transformative Approach to Growth for the Next Generation of Female Leaders&lt;/em&gt; – &lt;a href='https://sheilagujrathimd.com/book/'&gt;https://sheilagujrathimd.com/book/&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🎥 &lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DpDx6T3-X4'&gt;TED Talk: “Shattering the Glass Ceiling by Finding the Right Mirrors”&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 💼 &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-gujrathi-md/'&gt;Connect with Dr. Sheila Gujrathi on LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 💼 &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/sheilagujrathimd/'&gt;Follow Dr. Sheila Gujrathi on Instagram&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Membership&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Magazine&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Website&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

 It’s the season of giving—and today, we’re unwrapping one of the most transformative gifts of all: the gift of mirrors.  In this episode, Shannon sits down with Dr. Sheila Gujrathi, biotech entrepreneur, physician, and trailblazer whose career has taken her from Harvard to the helm of Gossamer Bio—and into the heart of human-centric leadership. You may know her from her TED Talk, “Shattering the Glass Ceiling by Finding the Right Mirrors,” and her book, The Mirror Effect, which hel...

The Gift of Mirrors with Dr. Sheila Gujrathi

This Veterans Day, we’re honoring those who’ve served—and continuing the conversation on what service looks like after the uniform comes off. Shannon is joined by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz, Founder and CEO of Vanguard Veteran, an organization dedicated to equipping civilians to become Veteran Champions. Kathy’s mission is clear: bridge the gap between military and civilian life and empower veterans to thrive in the workplace, community, and beyond. From leading teams in uniform to leading a movement of understanding, Kathy shares her insight on building “vanguard” communities—those at the front of meaningful change. You’ll hear leadership lessons born from service, the truth behind common misconceptions, and how we can all be part of reshaping what veteran employment looks like today. 🔥 Whether you’re a veteran, a leader, or simply someone who believes in the power of purpose—this episode will remind you that service never ends. It just evolves. 💖 Host Note from Shannon: As I wrapped this conversation with Kathy, one thing stuck with me—leadership, at its core, is about service. Whether that’s to our teams, our communities, or our country, the call to lead is also the call to lift others. Kathy reminded me that being “human-fueled” means seeing the person behind the title and the story behind the salute. This Veterans Day, I hope you’ll take a moment to do just that—to connect, to listen, and to thank those who serve not just with words, but with opportunity and understanding. Because together, we are the vanguard of change. Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/85h1sIh5uM8💬 Quotes from Kathy in this episode: “Do it afraid.” “Listen to that small, still voice inside of you that says, ‘This is important. I need to do this.’ Step into your voice.” “We need to go beyond thank you for our service and be purposeful, intentional, with substantive actions.” “Lead with your heart. Go outside your comfort zone. Be willing to say, ‘I don’t understand, but I’d like to learn more.’ ‘The great news is that veteran unemployment is consistently lower than non-veteran employment... but about one-third of veterans in your company are underemployed.” “I believe that when veterans thrive, America prospers.”  🔗 Episode Resources &amp; Links: 🌐 <a href='https://vanguardveteran.com/'>Vanguard Veteran Website</a> 💼 <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/lt-col-ret-kathy-lowrey-gallowitz-0618314/'>Connect with Kathy Gallowitz on LinkedIn</a> 💼 <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/vanguard-veteran-llc/about/'>Follow Vanguard Veteran on LinkedIn</a> 📘 <a href='https://bookshop.org/p/books/beyond-thank-you-for-your-service-the-veteran-champion-handbook-for-civilians/7ecfbaf5ffda5f59?ean=9780578677095&amp;next=t&amp;next=t'>Beyond “Thank You for Your Service” by Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz</a> 📈 <a href='https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/latest-numbers#:~:text=Annual%20Employment%20Situation%20of%20Veterans%20%E2%80%93%202024&amp;text=Of%20those%20veterans%2C%208.44%20million,the%20full%20report%20for%202024.'>U.S. Department of Labor Veteran Employment Data</a>   EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'>Empowering Women in Industry Membership</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'>Empowering Women in Industry Magazine</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'>Empowering Women in Industry Website</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/virtual-events'>Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This Veterans Day, we’re honoring those who’ve served—and continuing the conversation on what service looks like after the uniform comes off. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Shannon is joined by &lt;b&gt;Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz&lt;/b&gt;, Founder and CEO of &lt;b&gt;Vanguard Veteran&lt;/b&gt;, an organization dedicated to equipping civilians to become &lt;em&gt;Veteran Champions.&lt;/em&gt; Kathy’s mission is clear: bridge the gap between military and civilian life and empower veterans to thrive in the workplace, community, and beyond. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From leading teams in uniform to leading a movement of understanding, Kathy shares her insight on building “vanguard” communities—those at the front of meaningful change. You’ll hear leadership lessons born from service, the truth behind common misconceptions, and how we can all be part of reshaping what veteran employment looks like today. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🔥 Whether you’re a veteran, a leader, or simply someone who believes in the power of purpose—this episode will remind you that service never ends. It just evolves. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;💖 Host Note from Shannon:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As I wrapped this conversation with Kathy, one thing stuck with me—leadership, at its core, is about &lt;em&gt;service.&lt;/em&gt; Whether that’s to our teams, our communities, or our country, the call to lead is also the call to lift others. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kathy reminded me that being “human-fueled” means seeing the person behind the title and the story behind the salute. This Veterans Day, I hope you’ll take a moment to do just that—to connect, to listen, and to thank those who serve not just with words, but with opportunity and understanding. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because together, we &lt;em&gt;are&lt;/em&gt; the vanguard of change. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/85h1sIh5uM8&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;💬 Quotes from Kathy in this episode:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Do it afraid.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Listen to that small, still voice inside of you that says, ‘This is important. I need to do this.’ Step into your voice.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“We need to go beyond thank you for our service and be purposeful, intentional, with substantive actions.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Lead with your heart. Go outside your comfort zone. Be willing to say, ‘I don’t understand, but I’d like to learn more.’ &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;‘The great news is that veteran unemployment is consistently lower than non-veteran employment... but about one-third of veterans in your company are underemployed.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“I believe that when veterans thrive, America prospers.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;🔗 Episode Resources &amp;amp; Links:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🌐 &lt;a href='https://vanguardveteran.com/'&gt;Vanguard Veteran Website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 💼 &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/lt-col-ret-kathy-lowrey-gallowitz-0618314/'&gt;Connect with Kathy Gallowitz on LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 💼 &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/vanguard-veteran-llc/about/'&gt;Follow Vanguard Veteran on LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 📘 &lt;a href='https://bookshop.org/p/books/beyond-thank-you-for-your-service-the-veteran-champion-handbook-for-civilians/7ecfbaf5ffda5f59?ean=9780578677095&amp;amp;next=t&amp;amp;next=t'&gt;&lt;em&gt;Beyond “Thank You for Your Service”&lt;/em&gt; by Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 📈 &lt;a href='https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/latest-numbers#:~:text=Annual%20Employment%20Situation%20of%20Veterans%20%E2%80%93%202024&amp;amp;text=Of%20those%20veterans%2C%208.44%20million,the%20full%20report%20for%202024.'&gt;U.S. Department of Labor Veteran Employment Data&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Membership&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Magazine&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Website&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/virtual-events'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>

  This Veterans Day, we’re honoring those who’ve served—and continuing the conversation on what service looks like after the uniform comes off.  Shannon is joined by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz, Founder and CEO of Vanguard Veteran, an organization dedicated to equipping civilians to become Veteran Champions. Kathy’s mission is clear: bridge the gap between military and civilian life and empower veterans to thrive in the workplace, community, and beyond.  From leading...

Vanguard Rising with Kathy Gallowitz

🔊 Description It’s Women in AI Month — and we’re diving into the human side of artificial intelligence.  Shannon is joined by Lei Comerford, an award-winning executive coach, certified AI consultant, and leadership facilitator who brings 25+ years of experience in healthcare, hospitality, and professional services. In this fast-paced and thought-provoking conversation, Lei unpacks what it means to become an “AI-powered professional,” and why the future of leadership is both human and machine.  From mindset shifts to mental load relief, and from prompt engineering to cognitive assistants (available 24/7/365!), this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about integrating AI into their work—without losing their humanity. Watch on YouTube: <a href='https://youtu.be/9X8Gkfl1IsY'>https://youtu.be/9X8Gkfl1IsY</a>💬 Quotes from Lei in this episode: “Women don’t need to code to belong in this AI era. We simply need visibility, access, and spaces to learn with confidence.” “Learning is wonderful, but it’s when you move it forward to impact that you really begin to make a difference.” “When we begin to build that fluency, you can start to use AI as a trusted tool. Ultimately, it transforms yourself, how you do your role, how it impacts your team as well as your organization for the better.” “Transformation changes curiosity—changes what’s possible.” “AI won’t replace adaptable leaders, but those who ignore it may be replaced by others who don’t.” “Think of AI as augmenting the human. It doesn’t replace our human intelligence.”  🔗 Episode Resources &amp; Links: 🌐 <a href='https://www.leicomerford.com'>Lei Comerford’s Website</a> 💼 <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/leicomerford/'>Connect with Lei on LinkedIn</a> 💼 <a href='https://www.instagram.com/leicomerford/'>Connect with Lei on Instagram</a> 📨 <a href='https://www.leicomerford.com'>Sign up for Lei’s Monthly Newsletter</a>  🔧 Short list of AI Tools: o   <a href='https://chat.openai.com/'>ChatGPT</a> o   Claude o   Perplexity o   Gamma o   Canva o   Ideogram o   Descript o   Microsoft Copilot 🔥 Whether you&apos;re AI-curious, tech-hesitant, or just wondering what “prompt engineering” actually means—this episode will expand your thinking, ease your fears, and remind you that the future of work needs more women with both courage and curiosity. EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'>Empowering Women in Industry Membership</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'>Empowering Women in Industry Magazine</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'>Empowering Women in Industry Website</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/virtual-events'>Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;🔊 Description&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It’s Women in AI Month — and we’re diving into the human side of artificial intelligence. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Shannon is joined by Lei Comerford, an award-winning executive coach, certified AI consultant, and leadership facilitator who brings 25+ years of experience in healthcare, hospitality, and professional services. In this fast-paced and thought-provoking conversation, Lei unpacks what it means to become an “AI-powered professional,” and why the future of leadership is both human and machine. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; From mindset shifts to mental load relief, and from prompt engineering to cognitive assistants (available 24/7/365!), this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about integrating AI into their work—without losing their humanity. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watch on YouTube: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/9X8Gkfl1IsY'&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://youtu.be/9X8Gkfl1IsY&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;💬 Quotes from Lei in this episode:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Women don’t need to code to belong in this AI era. We simply need visibility, access, and spaces to learn with confidence.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Learning is wonderful, but it’s when you move it forward to impact that you really begin to make a difference.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“When we begin to build that fluency, you can start to use AI as a trusted tool. Ultimately, it transforms yourself, how you do your role, how it impacts your team as well as your organization for the better.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Transformation changes curiosity—changes what’s possible.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“AI won’t replace adaptable leaders, but those who ignore it may be replaced by others who don’t.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Think of AI as augmenting the human. It doesn’t replace our human intelligence.” &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;🔗 &lt;b&gt;Episode Resources &amp;amp; Links:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🌐 &lt;a href='https://www.leicomerford.com'&gt;Lei Comerford’s Website&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;💼 &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/leicomerford/'&gt;Connect with Lei on LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;💼 &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/leicomerford/'&gt;Connect with Lei on Instagram&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;📨 &lt;a href='https://www.leicomerford.com'&gt;Sign up for Lei’s Monthly Newsletter&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🔧 Short list of AI Tools: &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;o   &lt;a href='https://chat.openai.com/'&gt;ChatGPT&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;o   Claude &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;o   Perplexity &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;o   Gamma &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;o   Canva &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;o   Ideogram &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;o   Descript &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;o   Microsoft Copilot &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🔥 Whether you&amp;apos;re AI-curious, tech-hesitant, or just wondering what “prompt engineering” actually means—this episode will expand your thinking, ease your fears, and remind you that the future of work needs more women with both courage and curiosity. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Membership&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Magazine&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Website&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/virtual-events'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>

  🔊 Description  It’s Women in AI Month — and we’re diving into the human side of artificial intelligence.   Shannon is joined by Lei Comerford, an award-winning executive coach, certified AI consultant, and leadership facilitator who brings 25+ years of experience in healthcare, hospitality, and professional services. In this fast-paced and thought-provoking conversation, Lei unpacks what it means to become an “AI-powered professional,” and why the future of leadership is...

Human Heart. AI Power. with Lei Comerford

🔊 Description: What really powers manufacturing? People. In this Manufacturing Day episode, Shannon is joined by Ellen Sieminski, a lean expert, continuous improvement coach, and board member of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME). With 25+ years in the industry, Ellen brings deep experience and fresh perspective on how women, allies, and curious leaders are shaping the future of manufacturing. From the shop floor to the boardroom, Ellen shares why lean is never just about process—it’s about engagement, culture, and people.  💬 Quotes from Ellen in this episode: <ul><li>“If you’re not engaging the people doing the work, you’re missing the point of lean.”</li><li>“I want to be the person who brings the energy and says—let&apos;s not be afraid to try something new.”</li><li>“Women bring a level of awareness and perspective that is essential to long-term improvement and innovation.”</li><li>“Manufacturing doesn’t look like it did 30 years ago. And it shouldn’t.”</li></ul> 🔗 Episode Resources &amp; Links: <ul><li>AME Website: <a href='https://www.ame.org'>https://www.ame.org</a></li><li>AME International Conference (St. Louis | Oct 6–9, 2025): <a href='https://www.ame.org/ame-st-louis-2025-international-conference'>AME St. Louis 2025 International Conference | Association for Manufacturing Excellence</a></li><li>Books Mentioned: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg </li><li>Connect with Ellen on LinkedIn: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-sieminski-364b54/'>linkedin.com/in/ellen-sieminski-364b54</a></li></ul> 🔥 Whether you&apos;re deep in manufacturing or just love a good leadership story—this episode is your reminder that excellence doesn’t start with machines… it starts with us. Watch on <a href='https://youtu.be/15y8Akkg_Fs'>YouTube</a> EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'>Empowering Women in Industry Membership</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/events-1/empowering-women-in-industry-conference-gala'>National Event - Registration Link!!</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'>Empowering Women in Industry Magazine</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'>Empowering Women in Industry Website</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/virtual-events'>Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;🔊 Description:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What really powers manufacturing? &lt;em&gt;People.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this Manufacturing Day episode, Shannon is joined by &lt;b&gt;Ellen Sieminski&lt;/b&gt;, a lean expert, continuous improvement coach, and board member of the &lt;b&gt;Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME)&lt;/b&gt;. With 25+ years in the industry, Ellen brings deep experience and fresh perspective on how women, allies, and curious leaders are shaping the future of manufacturing. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From the shop floor to the boardroom, Ellen shares why lean is never just about process—it’s about &lt;em&gt;engagement&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;culture&lt;/em&gt;, and &lt;em&gt;people&lt;/em&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;💬 Quotes from Ellen in this episode:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;“If you’re not engaging the people doing the work, you’re missing the point of lean.”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;“I want to be the person who brings the energy and says—let&amp;apos;s not be afraid to try something new.”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;“Women bring a level of awareness and perspective that is essential to long-term improvement and innovation.”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;“Manufacturing doesn’t look like it did 30 years ago. And it &lt;em&gt;shouldn’t&lt;/em&gt;.”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;🔗 Episode Resources &amp;amp; Links:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;AME Website: &lt;a href='https://www.ame.org'&gt;https://www.ame.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;AME International Conference (St. Louis | Oct 6–9, 2025): &lt;a href='https://www.ame.org/ame-st-louis-2025-international-conference'&gt;AME St. Louis 2025 International Conference | Association for Manufacturing Excellence&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Books Mentioned: &lt;em&gt;Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead&lt;/em&gt; by Sheryl Sandberg &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Connect with Ellen on LinkedIn: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-sieminski-364b54/'&gt;linkedin.com/in/ellen-sieminski-364b54&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;🔥 Whether you&amp;apos;re deep in manufacturing or just love a good leadership story—this episode is your reminder that excellence doesn’t start with machines… it starts with &lt;em&gt;us&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;Watch on &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/15y8Akkg_Fs'&gt;&lt;b&gt;YouTube&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Membership&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/events-1/empowering-women-in-industry-conference-gala'&gt;&lt;b&gt;National Event - Registration Link!!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Magazine&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/virtual-events'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>

🔊 Description:  What really powers manufacturing? People.  In this Manufacturing Day episode, Shannon is joined by Ellen Sieminski, a lean expert, continuous improvement coach, and board member of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME). With 25+ years in the industry, Ellen brings deep experience and fresh perspective on how women, allies, and curious leaders are shaping the future of manufacturing.  From the shop floor to the boardroom, Ellen shares why lean is nev...

People-Powered Manufacturing with Ellen Sieminski

September has us juggling back-to-school, conferences, fall festivals, and holiday prep before we can even say “pumpkin spice.” Feeling like you’re already running on fumes? You’re not alone. And that’s why today’s episode is pure gold. I’m joined by Marisa Wheeling Ciesluk—burnout survivor, recovering perfectionist, and Chief Firestarter at MWC Leadership. With over 20 years of experience in leadership development, she helps ambitious women and people-centered leaders grow without burning out, lead without losing themselves, and want more—without compromise. Marisa doesn’t just talk theory. She knows firsthand the cost of burnout and how to build self-trust, clarity, and that inner fire that keeps us leading strong. ✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode: <ul><li>Why September is basically a “second January” (and how burnout sneaks in the back door).</li><li>Practical, no-fluff strategies to stay grounded while life is spinning.</li><li>How to want more—career growth, family time, personal fulfillment—without playing tug-of-war with yourself.</li><li>What it really means to “lead without losing yourself.”</li></ul> 💡 Quotes from Marisa in this episode:  “You can grow without burning out. You can lead without losing yourself. You can want more—without compromise.”<ul><li>“If I just push harder, I’ll get through this season—that’s the lie so many leaders tell themselves. But that mindset always backfires.”</li><li>“The smallest step, taken with clarity, has a ripple effect that changes everything.”</li></ul> This conversation is equal parts wisdom, laughter, and a gentle nudge to put down the Superwoman cape and pick up something better: clarity, courage, and joy.   📚 Books Mentioned in This Episode:  <ul><li><a href='https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Rest-Recover-Schedule-Declutter/dp/1478921670?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith</a> — exploring the 7 types of rest we all need.</li><li><a href='https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Big-Practical-Wisdom-Women/dp/1592409601?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>Playing Big by Tara Mohr</a> — a must-read for women ready to step fully into their leadership.</li></ul> 🔗 Connect with Marisa: Website: <a href='http://www.mwcleadership.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>mwcleadership.com</a> LinkedIn: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwheelingciesluk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>linkedin.com/in/mwheelingciesluk</a> Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/HljvFIRmuiY  EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'>Empowering Women in Industry Membership</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/events-1/empowering-women-in-industry-conference-gala'>National Event - Registration Link!!</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'>Empowering Women in Industry Magazine</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'>Empowering Women in Industry Website</a> <a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/virtual-events'>Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;September has us juggling back-to-school, conferences, fall festivals, and holiday prep before we can even say “pumpkin spice.” Feeling like you’re already running on fumes? You’re not alone. And that’s why today’s episode is pure gold. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I’m joined by &lt;b&gt;Marisa Wheeling Ciesluk&lt;/b&gt;—burnout survivor, recovering perfectionist, and Chief Firestarter at MWC Leadership. With over 20 years of experience in leadership development, she helps ambitious women and people-centered leaders grow without burning out, lead without losing themselves, and want more—without compromise. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Marisa doesn’t just talk theory. She knows firsthand the cost of burnout and how to build self-trust, clarity, and that inner fire that keeps us leading strong. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✨ &lt;b&gt;What You’ll Hear in This Episode:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why September is basically a “second January” (and how burnout sneaks in the back door).&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Practical, no-fluff strategies to stay grounded while life is spinning.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How to &lt;em&gt;want more&lt;/em&gt;—career growth, family time, personal fulfillment—without playing tug-of-war with yourself.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What it really means to “lead without losing yourself.”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;💡 &lt;b&gt;Quotes from Marisa in this episode:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“You can grow without burning out. You can lead without losing yourself. You can want more—without compromise.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;“If I just push harder, I’ll get through this season—that’s the lie so many leaders tell themselves. But that mindset always backfires.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;“The smallest step, taken with clarity, has a ripple effect that changes everything.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;This conversation is equal parts wisdom, laughter, and a gentle nudge to put down the Superwoman cape and pick up something better: clarity, courage, and joy.&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;📚 &lt;b&gt;Books Mentioned in This Episode:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Rest-Recover-Schedule-Declutter/dp/1478921670?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sacred Rest&lt;/em&gt; by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith&lt;/a&gt; — exploring the 7 types of rest we all need.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Big-Practical-Wisdom-Women/dp/1592409601?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;&lt;em&gt;Playing Big&lt;/em&gt; by Tara Mohr&lt;/a&gt; — a must-read for women ready to step fully into their leadership.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;🔗 &lt;b&gt;Connect with Marisa:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Website: &lt;a href='http://www.mwcleadership.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;mwcleadership.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; LinkedIn: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwheelingciesluk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;linkedin.com/in/mwheelingciesluk&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;Watch On YouTube: &lt;/b&gt;https://youtu.be/HljvFIRmuiY&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/plans-pricing'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Membership&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/events-1/empowering-women-in-industry-conference-gala'&gt;&lt;b&gt;National Event - Registration Link!!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/magazine'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Magazine&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/virtual-events'&gt;Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>

  September has us juggling back-to-school, conferences, fall festivals, and holiday prep before we can even say “pumpkin spice.” Feeling like you’re already running on fumes? You’re not alone. And that’s why today’s episode is pure gold.  I’m joined by Marisa Wheeling Ciesluk—burnout survivor, recovering perfectionist, and Chief Firestarter at MWC Leadership. With over 20 years of experience in leadership development, she helps ambitious women and people-centered leaders grow witho...

Grow Without Burnout with Marisa Wheeling Ciesluk

Interviews with successful career women from a variety of industries. We hope to empower women in their career aspirations, whether that's climbing a corporate ladder or becoming an entrepreneur.

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