LEAVE YOUR MARK: Freshly Brewed Career Advice with Aliza Licht

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Shelmina Babai Abji, Founder and CEO, ShowYourWorth.ai, a distinguished speaker, bestselling author, and former high-ranking executive at IBM. Shelmina discusses her journey from humble beginnings in Tanzania to becoming a key female figure in the tech industry and her mission to advance gender equality in leadership roles. She shares insights from her book, 'Show Your Worth: 8 Intentional Practices for Women to Emerge as Leaders at Work,' offering strategies for women to maximize their leadership potential and create unique value in their careers. She highlights the importance of overcoming fear, building a personal brand, and demonstrating value for advancement. Shelmina's story is a testament to resilience, empowerment, and the critical role of intentionality in achieving professional success.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I welcome Madison Ciccone, a former Hollywood executive assistant turned top SoulCycle instructor and confidence coach. We discuss Madison's career transformation, from her early days in Hollywood to finding her true calling in fitness and coaching with SoulCycle. Madison shares insights into the fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle and her transition into fitness, emphasizing the importance of aligning success with purpose and fun. She also talks about creating her brand, Wicked Fearless, aimed at motivating women through virtual coaching sessions initiated during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Today, it embodies her mission to help women identify their purpose, harness bravery, and take bold action in their lives. Madison's approach is unique and intertwined with her journey and struggles, making her teachings all the more powerful and relatable.  At the heart of Madison's story is the theme of fearlessness — not the absence of fear, but the courage to confront and dance with it. She highlights the importance of spirituality, self-reflection, and letting go of past baggage to uncover one's true message. By embracing the highs and lows of her journey, Madison advocates for authenticity, resilience, and the continual pursuit of self-discovery. Our conversation covers a range of topics, including the power of vulnerability, the role of spirituality in achieving success, and strategies for overcoming the comparison trap and building confidence. As Madison emphasizes, leaving a mark on the world isn't just about achieving personal success; it's about amplifying the greatness already within others and making every interaction a chance to impact someone's life positively. Her story is a powerful reminder that finding and following one's joy and purpose can lead to unimaginable fulfillment and inspire others to do the same.

As the first woman to serve as Secretary to former Governor Cuomo, the highest unelected position in state government, Melissa DeRosa knows how to thrive under pressure. In her riveting memoir, "What's Left Unsaid: My Life at the Center of Power, Politics & Crisis," she candidly shares her journey through politics, government, and becoming an author.  From the frontlines of the COVID crisis to the real events behind Governor Andrew Cuomo's meteoric rise and unfathomable fall, Melissa, one of the most powerful women in New York State government, has been on the frontlines every step of the way. She opens up about personal sacrifices, navigating crises, and the support and controversy surrounding Governor Cuomo. Reflecting on her sudden thrust into the public eye, Melissa touches on the complex dynamics of personal branding, calling into question the narratives we construct around public figures and advocating for a more nuanced understanding beyond superficial judgments. In this episode of Leave Your Mark, Melissa shares her career journey from her early days in fashion PR to her rapid rise in New York State's political arena, with an unprecedented view into the behind-the-scenes crisis management of the COVID-19 pandemic.  On this show and in her book, she shares the personal challenges she faced with raw honesty and vulnerability—a failing marriage, infertility, death threats, misogyny—all while navigating unprecedented professional landmines along the way.

In beauty, few names resonate as vibrantly as Marisa Meltzer. Renowned for her thought-provoking journalism and bestselling books, Meltzer has become a beacon of insightful commentary on the personal and professional narratives that shape our cultural landscape. Her latest book, Glossy: The Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier, not only cements her status as a leading voice but also offers an unparalleled glimpse into the potent mix of ambition, innovation, and struggle that defines the beauty industry today. In this episode of Leave Your Mark, Marisa discusses her career, the beauty industry, and the making of Glossy, the bombshell exposé that reveals—for the first time—exactly what happened at Glossier, one of America's hottest and most consequential startups, and dives deep into Emily Weiss, the enigmatic, visionary woman responsible for it all. We explore social media's pivotal role in its success and Marisa's take on the 'girl boss' era. She also touches upon the standards of beauty and body image in the current era, the intricate process of her reporting, and her next book project on Jane Birkin. The episode dives deep into the intersection of personal branding, industry dynamics, and the evolution of beauty standards.

In a world brimming with stories of success and determination, few are as captivating, hilarious, and inspiring as that of Jen Lancaster. Best known for her candid memoirs and inventive novels, Jen's journey from corporate vice president to bestselling author embodies resilience, wit, and an unmatched knack for storytelling. She is the New York Times bestselling author of nine memoirs, five adult novels, and one YA book.  Jen has sold well over a million books. After a corporate layoff in 2001, down on her luck, and stuck selling off cars, jewelry, and designer purses [which she says sucked, FYI] Jen launched a website to air her frustrations about unemployment. She began detailing her descent from designer clothing and spa visits to the unemployment line on her blog jennsylvania.com.    Her acerbic wit quickly won the blog a massive following. Jen’s first memoir, Bitter is the New Black, was published in 2006. Since then, she has published [at least] one book a year, and her memoir The Tao of Martha was optioned for a sitcom by FOX. In this episode, she shares insights into her creative process, advice for aspiring writers, character development and the shift from non-fiction to fiction, her experiences with traditional and Amazon publishing, and the importance of personal branding and marketing in an author's career. Additionally, she discusses her recent projects, including her latest book 'House Moms', her work as a ghostwriter, editor, and her lessons learned along the way. Fun fact: Jen edited my latest book, On Brand!