Secrets of Powerful Women with Jill Conway

90: Business Leadership, Career Growth, and Success with Diane Schwartz

What does it really take for a woman to rise into leadership, build confidence, and become a CEO? In this powerful episode of Secrets of Powerful Women, host Jill Conway interviews Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan Communications and the first female CEO in the company’s 60-year history. Diane shares her inspiring journey from journalist to media executive, opening up about leadership, overcoming self-doubt, executive presence, communication skills, career growth, and what women need to succeed in business today. This conversation is packed with practical advice and inspiration for: * Women in business * Female entrepreneurs * Midlife women reinventing themselves * Women leaders and executives * Women building confidence and career success * How women can build confidence and leadership presence * Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt * The mindset successful women leaders share * Women in the C-suite and breaking glass ceilings * Career growth, communication skills, and emotional intelligence * Leadership lessons from running a global communications company * Work-life balance, marriage, and success for ambitious women * Why women should stop underestimating themselves If you are a woman striving for more success, stronger leadership skills, greater confidence, or a meaningful next chapter, this episode will leave you inspired and empowered. Secrets of Powerful Women is the award-winning podcast for women 45+ hosted by Jill Conway — media personality, 20 yr veteran TV News Reporter, public speaking coach, and empowerment advocate. New episodes every Thursday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. JOIN OUR ONLINE SECRETS CLUB. SIGN UP HERE FOR MORE INFO. https://powerfulwomenusa.com/online-club Subscribe: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofpowerfulwomen⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofpowerfulwomen]  Sign up for women’s health events & workshops: ⁠https://powerfulwomenusa.com⁠ [https://powerfulwomenusa.com/] Follow: ⁠@secretsofpowerfulwomen⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/secretsofpowerfulwomen] | ⁠@powerfulwomenusa⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/powerfulwomenusa] | ⁠@jillconway_official [https://www.instagram.com/jillconwaymcdowell] Follow the podcast for me, Secrets of Powerful Women, on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Follow me here for more. #womeninbusiness, #womenempowerment, #womenleaders, #femaleCEO, womensuccessstories, #executivepresence, #womenover40 confidence for women, leadership skills, communication skills, emotional intelligence, career growth for women, women entrepreneurs, midlife women, women over 40, female leadership, women executives, professional women, business women, personal growth, Secrets of Powerful Women

89. From Realtor to Life Coach, Lesa Frye on Success Without Sacrifice

What if success didn’t have to come at the cost of your peace? In this inspiring episode of Secrets of Powerful Women, host Jill Conway sits down with Lesa Frye, Certified Life Coach, Business Growth Strategist, former top-producing Realtor, and founder of Embrace Joyful Living Coaching. After leaving corporate America to be more present for her family, Lesa took a leap of faith into real estate and sold an incredible 41 homes in her very first year, building a six-figure real estate business and becoming a top-performing agent for more than 30 years. Now, Lesa helps women entrepreneurs, women in real estate, business owners, and high-achieving women escape overwhelm, set boundaries, and build profitable businesses without sacrificing themselves in the process. This episode is packed with wisdom for: * Women in real estate * Female entrepreneurs * Midlife women reinventing themselves * Women business owners * Realtors facing burnout or overwhelm * Women seeking work-life balance and success * How women can build successful businesses without burnout * The hidden cost of overworking and people pleasing * Real estate success strategies and mindset shifts * The importance of boundaries, balance, and self-care * How to align your business with your values * Confidence, leadership, and personal growth for women * Why success should feel peaceful, not exhausting Lesa also shares the powerful story behind her “God whisper,” the moment that inspired her to help women redefine success and create lives that feel joyful and aligned. If you are a woman in real estate, entrepreneurship, leadership, or a season of reinvention, this conversation will inspire you to grow your business without losing yourself along the way. Her podcast is The Balanced Business Woman Secrets of Powerful Women is the award-winning podcast for women 45+ hosted by Jill Conway — media personality, 20 yr veteran TV News Reporter, public speaking coach, and empowerment advocate. New episodes every Thursday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. JOIN OUR ONLINE SECRETS CLUB. SIGN UP HERE FOR MORE INFO. https://powerfulwomenusa.com/online-club Subscribe: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofpowerfulwomen⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofpowerfulwomen]  Sign up for women’s health events & workshops: ⁠https://powerfulwomenusa.com⁠ [https://powerfulwomenusa.com/] Follow: ⁠@secretsofpowerfulwomen⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/secretsofpowerfulwomen] | ⁠@powerfulwomenusa⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/powerfulwomenusa] | ⁠@jillconwaymcdowell [https://www.instagram.com/jillconwaymcdowell]  Follow the podcast for me, Secrets of Powerful Women, on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Follow me here for more. women in real estate, female entrepreneur, women business owners, realtor success, women empowerment, business coach for women, work life balance, burnout recovery, women entrepreneurs, women over 40, midlife women, business growth, confidence for women, leadership for women, real estate coaching, personal growth, women leaders, real estate success, Secrets of Powerful Women

88. Confidence and Executive Presentation for Women in Business with Kerri Garbis

What makes a woman unforgettable in business, leadership, and life? In this episode of Secrets of Powerful Women, host Jill Conway sits down with Kerri Garbis, CEO and founder of Ovation Communication, executive communication expert, TEDx speaker, and author of Presentation Skills for Managers. Kerri has helped thousands of professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Mastercard, and McDonald’s master the skills that truly set leaders apart, confidence, executive presence, emotional intelligence, storytelling, and powerful communication. But her story starts far from the boardroom. From child actress to musical theater performer to successful entrepreneur and business leader, Kerri shares how performance skills became the foundation for helping women command a room, speak with confidence, and lead with impact. This conversation is packed with practical strategies for women in business, entrepreneurs, midlife women, leaders, and anyone looking to build confidence and elevate their presence. * How women can develop executive presence and confidence * The communication skills powerful leaders use * Emotional intelligence and leadership success * Storytelling techniques that connect with any audience * How to overcome fear and speak with authority * Why women often underestimate their own presence and influence * Kerri’s journey from performer to CEO and communication expert If you are a woman looking to grow your confidence, leadership, business, or personal brand, this episode will give you tools you can use immediately. Secrets of Powerful Women is the award-winning podcast for women 45+ hosted by Jill Conway — media personality, 20 yr veteran TV News Reporter, on-camera coach, and empowerment advocate. New episodes every Thursday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. JOIN OUR ONLINE SECRETS CLUB. SIGN UP HERE FOR MORE INFO. https://powerfulwomenusa.com/online-club Subscribe: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofpowerfulwomen⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofpowerfulwomen]  Sign up for women’s health events & workshops: ⁠⁠https://powerfulwomenusa.com⁠⁠ [https://powerfulwomenusa.com/] Follow: ⁠⁠@secretsofpowerfulwomen⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/secretsofpowerfulwomen] | ⁠⁠@powerfulwomenusa⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/powerfulwomenusa] | ⁠⁠@jillconwaymcdowell⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/jillconwaymcdowell]  Follow the podcast for me, Secrets of Powerful Women, on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

87: Unlock Your Inner Wisdom with Lisa Taylor /Secrets of Powerful Women

What if the answers you’ve been searching for are already inside you? In this episode of Secrets of Powerful Women, host Jill Conway sits down with Lisa Taylor, holistic wellness coach, to explore the power of self-discovery, breathwork, intuition, and emotional healing. Lisa shares how women can reconnect with themselves, regulate their emotions, and move through life’s challenges with more clarity and resilience. Through simple but powerful tools like breathwork, mindfulness, and self-reflection, she shows how to shift from feeling stuck to living with intention and authenticity. This conversation is especially meaningful for midlife women, high-achieving women, and anyone navigating change, stress, or a desire for deeper purpose. * Why self-reflection is the foundation of personal growth * How breathwork and mindfulness can calm your nervous system * The importance of trusting your intuition and inner voice * How to turn life’s challenges into opportunities for transformation * Practical tools for healing, resilience, and self-awareness * How to reconnect with your authentic self If you’re ready to slow down, tune in, and start living more intentionally, this episode will guide you back to yourself. JOIN OUR ONLINE SECRETS CLUB. SIGN UP HERE FOR MORE INFO. https://powerfulwomenusa.com/online-club Secrets of Powerful Women is the award-winning podcast for women 45+ hosted by Jill Conway — media personality, former Tv news reporter, coach, and empowerment advocate. New episodes every week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. self discovery, breathwork for women, intuition, holistic wellness, personal growth, emotional healing, mindfulness, midlife women, mental health, resilience, spiritual growth, Secrets of Powerful Women

86. Achievement As A Coping Mechanism with Lena Fein

What if your success wasn’t just ambition, but survival? In this episode of Secrets of Powerful Women, host Jill Conway sits down with Lena Fein, author of Shattering the Mirror, to explore a powerful and often hidden truth, that high achievement, perfectionism, and overperformance can be rooted in trauma. Lena shares her journey from a high-performing career in tech to a deeper understanding of how her drive was shaped by early life experiences. Raised in a difficult environment, she learned to excel as a way to gain control, validation, and safety. This conversation is especially important for women in business, midlife women, leaders, and high achievers who may not realize the emotional cost of constantly striving. We talk about what happens when success becomes a coping mechanism, why so many women struggle to slow down, and what it really takes to redefine success later in life. * How perfectionism and high achievement can be survival strategies * The hidden emotional cost of overperformance * Why high-achieving women often feel pressure, even after success * The connection between trauma, control, and productivity * How to begin redefining success in midlife * What it means to reconnect with who you are beyond your accomplishments If you are a woman who has always pushed yourself to succeed, this episode may change how you see your journey. JOIN OUR ONLINE SECRETS CLUB. SIGN UP HERE FOR MORE INFO. https://powerfulwomenusa.com/online-club Secrets of Powerful Women is the award-winning podcast for women 45+ hosted by Jill Conway — media personality, Veteran 20 yr TV News Reporter, coach, and empowerment advocate. New episodes every Thursday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. high achieving women, perfectionism, trauma response, women in business, burnout women, overachiever mindset, midlife women, personal growth, emotional healing, redefining success, women empowerment, Secrets of Powerful Women