The Virtually Amazing Assistants Podcast

Shelley Fishel

Details

Podcast for EAs, PAs, VAs and Office managers. Guest experts bring you practical and actionable information!

Recent Episodes

FEB 4, 2026
Rebranding and Evolution in the EA Community with Nicky Christmas.
Rebranding and Evolution in the EA Community with Nicky Christmas. In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistant, host Shelley Fishel is joined by Nicky Christmas, Founder and Chief Executive of The EA Campus. They discuss the rebranding journey from Practically Perfect PA to The EA Campus, the impact of the pandemic on the assistant industry, the evolution and future of the EA role, and the importance of mastering fundamental skills alongside embracing new technologies like AI. They also share personal insights and advice for new assistants and the significance of building a strong professional network. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:38 The Evolution of Practically Perfect PA to EA Campus 01:59 Challenges and Insights in Rebranding 06:39 The Role and Evolution of Executive Assistants 10:25 Advice for New Assistants 11:46 The Impact of AI and Technology 14:10 Pioneering Virtual Summits 20:15 Future Skills for Assistants 26:26 Building a Strong EA/PA Network 28:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Follow Follow Follow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat The post Rebranding and Evolution in the EA Community with Nicky Christmas. first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .
29 MIN
JAN 28, 2026
Adapting, Thriving, and Helping Others: Suzi Stanier’s Dynamic Journey
Adapting, Thriving, and Helping Others: Suzi Stanier’s Dynamic Journey In this lively episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, host Shelley Fishel chats with the incredible Suzi Stanier, founder of Suzi Stanier Business Solutions. Suzi’s agency specializes in virtual assistance and online business management services, aiming to bring calm to overwhelmed small business owners. With a rich background in local government, civil service, and the adaptability of a military spouse, Suzi shares her journey from administration roles to founding her own business. Along the way, she talks about her qualification as a radiographer, her experiences with frequent relocations, and how she maintains organization under pressure. Tune in for practical strategies on time management, the effective use of automation tools, and a contagious passion for helping businesses thrive. Suzi also shares her preference for Microsoft over Google and provides tips for avoiding overwhelm and boosting productivity. Enjoy an episode filled with invaluable insights and inspiring stories! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:48 Suzi’s Diverse Background 02:28 Transition to Virtual Assistance 04:04 Challenges and Adaptability 05:14 Running a Business on the Move 07:16 Time Management and Overcoming Overwhelm 18:56 Smart Automations and Tools 26:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Follow Follow Follow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat The post Adapting, Thriving, and Helping Others: Suzi Stanier’s Dynamic Journey first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .
JAN 21, 2026
Unlocking Time Management and Personal Growth with Abigail Barnes
Unlocking Time Management and Personal Growth with Abigail Barnes In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, host Shelley Fishel engages in an insightful conversation with Abigail Barnes, founder and CEO of Success by Design Training. Abigail, an expert in time management and productive wellbeing, introduces her innovative 8-8-8 formula, which divides the day into three equal parts for sleep, work, and personal life. The discussion covers the importance of tracking time, understanding one’s personal energy patterns through human design, and the impact of mindset on productivity. Abigail also shares her extensive marketing background, offering valuable tips for assistants to market themselves effectively. Key takeaways include the significance of auditing time, and making incremental changes for improved productivity and personal growth. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 02:16 Abigail Barnes’ 8-8-8 Formula for Time Management 05:16 Exploring Human Design and Sleep Patterns 08:51 The Importance of Marketing Yourself 16:32 Time Management Challenges and Solutions 20:45 Key Lessons and Final Thoughts Follow Follow Follow Follow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat The post Unlocking Time Management and Personal Growth with Abigail Barnes first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .
27 MIN
JAN 14, 2026
Unlocking Productivity and Creativity with Steven Puri 
Unlocking Productivity and Creativity with Steven Puri Join host Shelley Fishel on this exciting episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants as she chats with Steven Puri, the dynamic CEO and founder of The Sukha Company. From his early days as a newscaster to producing visual effects for films like Independence Day and venturing into tech entrepreneurship, Steven shares his incredible journey and the inspiration behind The Sukha Company. Discover how this innovative productivity tool can help you achieve a focused and efficient workday through flow states, smart assistants, and unique strategies for minimizing distractions. Packed with valuable insights, fun anecdotes, and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and virtual assistants, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to boost their productivity and creativity. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:41 Steven Puri’s Diverse Career Journey 02:32 The Inspiration Behind The Sukha Company 03:59 How The Sukha App Works 08:12 The Importance of Focus and Flow 13:39 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 19:14 Challenging Yourself for Meaningful Work 19:58 Using Music to Enhance Focus 20:28 Blocking Distractions with Smart Assistants 23:31 Understanding Your Chronotype for Productivity 24:44 Creating the Right Workspace Environment 29:14 Incorporating Ambient Sounds for Focus Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat The post Unlocking Productivity and Creativity with Steven Puri first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .
33 MIN
OCT 29, 2025
Balancing Work and Wellbeing: Insights from Susanna Simmons
Show Notes Balancing Work and Wellbeing: Insights from Susanna Simmons In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, the host welcomes Susanna Simmons, a multifaceted professional specializing in fitness and lifestyle coaching combined with customer experience strategy. Susanna shares her journey from corporate IT training to becoming a fitness coach and helping third chapter solopreneurs—individuals aged 45 and above—thrive both personally and professionally. They discuss the importance of sustainable habits, the challenges of balancing family and work, and the significance of self-care to prevent burnout. Susanna also provides practical tips on maintaining wellbeing and building successful, long-term customer relationships. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:08 Susanna Simmons’ Background and Expertise 03:49 Understanding the Third Chapter Solopreneurs 09:15 Susanna’s Personal Journey and Career Transition 10:51 Blending Fitness Coaching with Customer Experience 13:38 The Evolution of Retirement and Work-Life Balance 14:53 Customer Experience and Software Adoption 17:15 Understanding Stakeholder Dynamics 18:49 Common Challenges for Solopreneurs 20:13 Building Sustainable Habits 21:39 Personal Experience with Habit Formation 22:46 The Importance of Enjoyable Habits 23:44 Adapting Habits to Individual Routines 27:21 Practical Tips for Accountability 31:35 Remote Work and Global Clients 32:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat The post Balancing Work and Wellbeing: Insights from Susanna Simmons first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .