ConvHERsations with Kristie

ConvHERsations with Derek Fredrickson | Ep 52 | ConvHERsations with Kristie

In this episode of ConverHERsations with Kristie Clayton, Kristie welcomes Derek Fredrickson—founder and CEO of The COO Solution—for a thoughtful conversation about identity, alignment, and honoring who you truly are as a leader. Derek shares his journey from spending 15 years as a behind-the-scenes operator and fractional COO to stepping into the CEO role of his own company. Together, he and Kristie explore the often-unspoken tension operators feel when success is narrowly defined by titles, visibility, or ownership—and why being a second-in-command is not “less than,” but deeply essential. Throughout the episode, they unpack: • What it means to honor your true wiring as an operator, integrator, or builder  • Why operators are the “magic makers” who turn ideas into reality  • How to know when it’s time to explore a next chapter—and when it’s perfectly right to stay where you thrive  • The reality of the “messy middle” when transitioning roles or identities  • Why just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should  • The importance of defining your North Star and building plans for both business and personal life  • Why rest, clarity breaks, and time away are requirements—not rewards Derek also shares powerful personal reflections on living abroad in France, navigating work-life balance across time zones, and learning to release old habits as he builds something bigger than himself. The conversation is especially resonant for COOs, integrators, and right-hand leaders who quietly carry enormous responsibility while enabling others to shine.

ConvHERsations with Michele Kehrer | Ep 51 | ConvHERsations with Kristie

In this episode of ConverHERsations with Kristie Clayton, Kristie sits down with entrepreneur, author, and business growth coach Michele Kehrer for an honest, reflective conversation about mindset, boundaries, and the small shifts that create lasting change. Michele shares her entrepreneurial journey—from owning and successfully exiting a physical therapy practice in downtown Chicago to building a new chapter as a coach helping leaders get out of their own way. At the heart of the conversation is her new book, Brave Shift, which focuses on 30 mindset shifts that help people reclaim clarity, calm, and control in both life and leadership. Together, Kristie and Michele explore: • How small, intentional habits create massive life change  • Why vulnerability and honesty are essential to personal growth  • The importance of morning routines that nourish the mind, body, and soul  • How burnout often stems from misaligned boundaries, not lack of discipline  • Why protecting your time is critical to protecting your peace  • How asking for help empowers both the giver and the receiver  • The connection between self-care, leadership presence, and sustainable success Michele also shares personal stories behind the lessons in her book, including redefining productivity, recognizing when busyness is masking burnout, and learning to intentionally build rest, joy, and fun into everyday life.

ConvHERsations with Heather Howes and Dunya Daikhi | Ep 50 | ConvHERsations with Kristie

In this special reflection episode of ConverHERsations with Kristie Clayton, Kristie is joined by Heather Howes and Dunya Daikhi to look back on the powerful moments, stories, and sisterhood that defined the recent FEM Summit. Recorded just days after the Summit, this conversation goes beyond logistics and highlights—it captures the heart of what happens when women in second-in-command and leadership roles come together with intention, vulnerability, and trust. Kristie reflects on moments that continue to resonate deeply, including life-changing personal breakthroughs, courageous panel conversations around motherhood and identity, and the collective energy that filled the room. What emerges is a picture of FEM Summit not just as an event, but as a catalyst for both professional growth and personal transformation. Throughout the episode, the conversation explores: • Why FEM Summit is designed as a whole-human experience, not just a business conference  • The power and responsibility of leadership from the second-in-command seat  • Common misconceptions about being “number two” and why it is a true power role  • How women in integrator and COO roles are redefining leadership for future generations  • Kristie’s own evolution from integrator to visionary leader—and owning both identities  • The ripple effect of community and its generational impact beyond the Summit  • What’s next for HERverse, including in-person masterminds and the next FEM Summit The episode closes with a powerful message for women quietly holding everything together behind the scenes: you are already successful, your work matters, and you deserve support, celebration, and space to thrive.

ConvHERsations with Lisa McCurdy | Ep 49 | ConvHERsations with Kristie

In this episode of ConverHERsations with Kristie Clayton, Kristie sits down with Lisa McCurdy to explore what it truly means to build a culture of accountability—and why culture must be lived, not just written down. Lisa shares her journey into the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), how she transitioned from a full-time Integrator to fractional leadership, and why clear values, measurable expectations, and courageous conversations are the foundation of healthy, high-performing teams. Together, Kristie and Lisa unpack: • Why culture starts with the visionary and must be modeled consistently  • The integrator’s role in leading, managing, and holding teams accountable through core values  • How measurable expectations and scorecards remove emotion and create clarity  • The power of peer accountability and why it accelerates trust and performance  • Common mistakes leaders make when avoiding tough people decisions—and how that impacts the entire team  • How integrators can give visionaries space to dream without becoming bottlenecks or “dream killers”  • The importance of play, curiosity, and timing in visionary–integrator partnerships Lisa also shares personal stories that shaped her leadership philosophy, including honoring her mother as her first visionary influence and her passion for empowering the next generation of women leaders. This episode is a must-listen for founders, visionaries, integrators, and leadership teams who want to strengthen culture, improve accountability, and create organizations where people genuinely enjoy working together—without sacrificing clarity or performance.

ConvHERsations with Chris Ronzio | Ep 48 | ConvHERsations with Kristie

In this episode of ConverHERsations with Kristie, Kristie Clayton sits down with Chris Ronzio—founder and CEO of Trainual—to talk about building businesses that scale through process, clarity, and consistency. From filming events in all 50 states to leading one of the most recognized process documentation platforms in the world, Chris shares how his journey as an entrepreneur inspired him to create Trainual—and why great systems are really about freedom, not restriction. Kristie and Chris explore: * Why process creates consistency, scalability, and customer trust * How to balance creativity with structure (without feeling boxed in) * The role of AI in documenting and delegating smarter * How business owners can empower their teams to deliver excellence without losing personal touch Chris also opens up about lessons learned from his own growth journey, the balance between visionary freedom and operational structure, and how his grandmother inspired one of Trainual’s most meaningful stories.