Fearless Females

The Courage to Say No with April Joy Damian: Leading Without Losing Yourself

In this episode, Lorie Jones welcomes trailblazing leader Dr. April Joy Damian, chief scientific officer and director at the Weitzman Institute. April Joy brings candid wisdom to the table, from practical strategies for setting boundaries to the truth behind the myth that only hard work guarantees success. You will discover why "no" is a complete sentence, and how learning to step forward, even when you don't feel fully ready, can open powerful new doors. April Joy shares her journey from aspiring physician to nationally recognized advocate for children's mental health, along with the real stories of facing self-doubt, caregiving pressures, and being the only woman in the room. This conversation is packed with honest advice, professional insights, and motivating lessons sure to empower women to build careers that truly align with their values and vision. Show Highlights: * A book to help rediscover the power of discomfort. [04:10] * Learning to say no as a caregiver and professional before reaching depletion. [09:29] * How to balance priorities by what's important vs. urgent. [12:09] * The importance of women making their achievements visible. [15:09] * Why embracing opportunities despite impostor syndrome matters. [19:40] * The dividends investing in your growth and enrichment pays. [24:01] * How do you navigate feelings of otherness in professional spaces? [27:09] * Allowing vulnerability in professional and personal mentorship. [31:52] * What exactly does it mean to live a purpose-driven life? [35:42] * Three powerful rules to live by for young women. [39:07] Connect with April Joy Damian on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/apriljoydamian/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/apriljoydamian/]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

The Courage to Be Seen with Savannah Abney: Building a Brand Around You

In today's conversation, host Lorie Jones sits down with Savannah Abney, co-founder and CEO of The Breezy Company, to explore the intersection of ambition, authenticity, and entrepreneurial success. Savannah shares how embracing her personal brand opened new doors for her business and discusses why founders, and anyone building a career, should invest in their individual visibility. From candid stories about early financial struggles and navigating "cringy" first steps in self-promotion, to actionable advice on building resilience and leveraging your unique value, this episode is packed with insights for breaking boundaries and building a life and business on your own terms. Whether you're just starting out or aiming to level up, get ready to be inspired to lead with courage, own your story, and become the driving force behind your own success! Show Highlights: * A life-changing must-read for honing true entrepreneurial grit. [03:08] * Transitioning from business instincts to business ownership. [05:45] * Personal branding power in a future of faceless brand failure. [09:37] * Discover trust insights for brand optimization on social media. [12:07] * How to better use AI for original content the market rewards. [13:41] * The danger of fear-based advice vs. the value of adaptability. [22:42] * Are you worried about appearing cringy in marketing efforts? [28:08] * Should you live below your means early for business benefits? [29:42] * Neutralizing gender bias with results-focused feminine confidence. [37:30] * Real-life advice to young women on investing early in the future. [41:13] Find Savannah Abney on Instagram @SavAbney [https://www.instagram.com/savabney/]. Connect with Savannah on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannahabney/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannahabney/], or via email at Savannah@Thebreezycompany.co [Savannah@Thebreezycompany.co]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

Thriving in the Messy Middle with Jessica Studholme: Where Growth Actually Happens

This week, Lorie Jones sits down with Jessica Studholme, CRO of Hello Sunshine, for a candid and empowering conversation about embracing obstacles, career pivots, and the power of authenticity. Jessica shares her journey from dreaming of being a Rockette to climbing the corporate ladder in media and entertainment, emphasizing how every challenge became a stepping stone. The discussion pans lessons learned from mentorship, the art of self-advocacy, and the importance of showing up as your true self in male-dominated industries. Whether you're charting your own course, facing the messy middle, or just need a reminder to take a fearless first step, this episode will inspire you to see obstacles not as roadblocks, but as the pathway to growth and greatness. Let the journey begin! Show Highlights: * Reframing obstacles as the path rather than what's in its way. [04:25] * The power of mentorship and networking in career transitions. [11:41] * How work–life integration can inform and enrich leadership. [15:23] * Engaging in the "ugly work" of self-discovery with a coach. [17:19] * Should you change who you are for a job or be masculine in business? [24:10] * Listening to your gut and leaving earlier for your next chapter. [28:37] * Pivotal question to ask yourself to negotiate your worth. [32:26] * How to find everyday fearlessness in the messy middle. [39:30] * Facing bias due to gender and motherhood in the workplace. [46:02] * Modeling ambition for kids with lessons from Jessica's mom. [49:53] * Why young women must network and embrace "burnt toast." [54:19] Find Jessica Studholme on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-jones-studholme-7b57b94/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-jones-studholme-7b57b94/]. You can also contact her via email at jessicajstudholme@gmail.com [jessicajstudholme@gmail.com]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

Accidental Entrepreneurship with Stefanie Francis: Building What You Couldn't Find

In this episode, Lorie Jones sits down with Stefanie Francis, founder and CEO of Hootology, to uncover the twists and turns of her inspiring career. From her beginnings as a Division I volleyball player to unexpectedly launching her own tech-enabled market research firm, Stefanie shares how embracing uncertainty and following her intuition led her to build the company she had always hoped to work for. Stefanie offers candid reflections on leaving comfort zones, navigating challenges as a woman leader, and her commitment to inner growth through therapy and self-discovery. Whether you're forging your own path or still figuring out the next step, Stefanie Francis's fearless wisdom will spark your curiosity and encourage you to embrace every possibility along your journey. Show Highlights: * Finding success in the present on an evolving career path. [07:22] * A journey to founding the company you couldn't find to work at. [08:15] * What does modernized market research look like? [12:31] * The role of therapy as a transformative personal investment. [15:49] * Why advice isn't absolute and needs your unique filter. [18:12] * Hollow personal branding vs. "warning" signals of authenticity. [21:14] * The value of understanding your own psychology of money. [29:39] * Is fear a necessary part of growth? [33:32] * Exposure to locker room talk as masculine-presenting women. [35:45] * Embracing the inner voice, fear, and quiet as young women. [39:14] Connect with Stefanie Francis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniefrancis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniefrancis/]. You can also reach out to Stefanie via email at stephanie@hootology.com [stephanie@hootology.com] . If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

Owning Your Value with Lauren Kwedar Cockerell: Starting Before You Feel Ready

In today's conversation, Lori Jones sits down with Lauren Kwedar Cockerell, president of Kwedar & Co., who shares her inspiring journey from book-loving child to successful entrepreneur. Listen in as Lauren recounts how being laid off at eight months pregnant became the catalyst for launching her own business—and how embracing lifelong learning and valuing her own worth transformed her professional path. You'll also hear candid advice on negotiating salaries, trusting your intuition, scaling teams with heart, and the importance of taking time to rest and rejuvenate. This episode is packed with real stories, practical lessons, and encouragement for any woman aiming to carve her own fearless trail in the business world. Show Highlights: * Do great PR careers evolve from a childhood love of stories? [08:26] * How being laid off can be an entrepreneurial springboard. [12:13] * The power of coaching to help start and sustain a business. [16:00] * The certification and accelerator that transformed Lauren's path. [17:45] * Are you undercharging without negotiating first offers? [21:44] * Pitfalls of boosting headcount without strategy during rapid growth. [25:58] * The importance of delegating financial administration. [30:44] * Why "hire slow, fire fast" is true—better done with humanity. [35:36] * Fostering rest and adventure beyond work as an employer. [41:38] * AI and entry-level job challenges vs. unlocking unique value. [43:32] Connect with Lauren Kwedar Cockerell on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/] or via email at hello@kwedarco.com [hello@kwedarco.com]. You can also find Lauren's work or contact her at https://www.kwedarco.com/ [https://www.kwedarco.com/]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].