Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact

The Secret Stairs to Leadership: How Women Rise Without the Corporate Ladder

Episode Description What if the path to leadership was never meant to be a straight climb? In this powerful episode of Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact, Dr. Stephanie Duguid welcomes Dr. Diana for a transformative conversation on redefining leadership for women. Drawing from her research, The Secret Stairs, Dr. Diana shares the hidden strategies women use to rise into leadership roles—often without clear guidance, support, or access to traditional pathways. Together, they explore: * Why the "corporate ladder" is often missing steps for women * The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and why it matters * How imposter syndrome shows up (even at the highest levels) * The power of trusting your intuition and leading with emotional intelligence * How COVID reshaped leadership, connection, and opportunity for women * Practical strategies to advocate for yourself and increase visibility This episode is a reminder that leadership is not about fitting into a mold—it's about creating your own path with clarity, courage, and connection. If you've ever felt overlooked, uncertain, or unsure of your next step… this conversation will meet you exactly where you are—and help you move forward with purpose. Listen in and discover how to take your next step—your way. 🎧 Listen now: https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/podcast [https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/podcast] Guest Info: Dr. Diana James, The Secret Stairs Public Speaker/Founder of The Secret Stairs Dr. Diana James is uniquely qualified to help women grow into confident, capable leaders because she has lived every layer of the leadership journey - from earning a PhD in Leadership Studies that generated published research focused on gender equity in the workplace to over 3 decades of experience leading corporate teams. Dr. James has navigated career reinventions and coached individuals through personal transformation while building a career across multiple industries, all rooted in empowering others to succeed. Social Links and Websites Guest: Dr. Diana James, Founder of the Secret Stairs Website: www.secretstairs.com [http://www.secretstairs.com] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/diana-james-phd Instagram: @djames0919 My keynote address/workshops and book: The Secret Stairs: An Alternative Pathway for Women in Leadership. The corporate ladder is not just broken - it was never built with women in mind. Host: Dr. Stephanie Duguid, Owner, Do Good Leadership Website: www.drstephanieduguid.com [http://www.drstephanieduguid.com] Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid [https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid] Facebook (Group): https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership [https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstephanieduguid/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstephanieduguid/]

Live to the Max™ with Aura E. Martinez: Self Leadership, Confidence, and Authentic Impact

Episode Description In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Duguid sits down with Aura E. Martinez, founder of Live to the Max™, for a grounded conversation on what it really means to lead yourself before leading others. Aura shares how her personal journey of healing, self-discovery, and rebuilding self-worth shaped the way she leads and coaches today. Together, they explore how internal clarity—not external pressure—is what creates sustainable leadership. This conversation brings leadership back to alignment, not performance. Inside the episode, they unpack: * Why self-leadership is the foundation of confident leadership Leadership doesn't begin with a title—it begins with how you think, respond, and speak to yourself daily. * How to recognize what's actually keeping you stuck Whether it's emotional patterns, lack of clarity, or missing information, stuckness has a source—and it can be addressed with intention. * The role of emotional intelligence in trust and communication Clear communication isn't about saying more—it's about understanding people, context, and timing. * Creating intentional daily practices that reinforce confidence From journaling to self-talk, small rituals build steadiness over time—confidence becomes a result, not a requirement. * Why real connection requires more than proximity or social media Meaningful relationships are built through effort, expectation-setting, and genuine interest—not surface-level interaction. Aura's perspective is simple and steady: You don't need to become someone else to lead well. You need structure that supports who you already are. Guest Info: Aura E. Martinez Live to the Max™/ Viva al máximo™ Self-Discovery & Empowerment Coach Aura E. Martinez is a Self-Discovery and Empowerment Coach and creator of the Aura Blueprint™, helping women gain total clarity in their purpose so they can wake up to a life of daily fulfillment and certainty. She is the founder of MugHug® Store (mughugstore.com), a wellness-forward drinkware brand focused on self-talk awareness and emotional well-being. As a person who has traveled the world as a Flight Attendant, the opportunity has helped her learn and see so much and she discovered the most fabulous place for us all to see that is truly the key to greater well-being and she shared that with others worldwide. Aura is also the founder of Live to the Max™/Viva al máximo™, author of the book Creating a Lifetime of Wellness: Start Having the Life You Deserve and Creating a Lifetime of Wellness Journal: Your Personal Coach to the Different Areas of Your Life. Her book has been seen on Spirituality and Health magazine, Psychology Today and Natural Awakening NYC edition magazine. Social Links and Websites www.auraemartinez.com [http://www.auraemartinez.com] www.facebook.com/AuraEMartinezCoach www.instagram.com/AuraElenaMartinez www.youtube.com/@AuraEMartinez PROMOTION: I would like to promote the freebie that I currently offer called "The Year of You workbook," the workbook designed to help you slow down, reflect, and come back home to yourself. To listen to your inner voice more deeply, gain clarity on what you truly want, and begin creating alignment from the inside out. https://bit.ly/yearofyouworkbook [https://bit.ly/yearofyouworkbook] Host: Dr. Stephanie Duguid, Owner, Do Good Leadership Website: www.drstephanieduguid.com [http://www.drstephanieduguid.com] Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid [https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid] Facebook (Group): https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership [https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstephanieduguid/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstephanieduguid/]

The Wolf Within: Trusting Your Instincts in Leadership

Episode Description What shapes a leader long before the title ever arrives? In this meaningful and inspiring episode, Dr. Stephanie Duguid welcomes Dr. Kris Tolman to explore a leadership journey shaped by faith, mentorship, and authentic growth. Kris shares how her early leadership experiences in her religious community, including organizing youth camps and leading volunteers, helped her develop vision, resilience, and a heart for serving others. Without formal training at first, she learned by doing, discovering that leadership is less about control and more about care, clarity, and empowering people to succeed. A pivotal mentor helped Kris see her potential before she fully recognized it herself, preparing her for larger opportunities such as leading the NYSOT conference. There, she focused on creating a positive, collaborative experience built on trust, teamwork, and shared ownership of the vision. Together, Stephanie and Kris discuss imposter syndrome, embracing mistakes as growth opportunities, and navigating leadership transitions with courage. Kris introduces the idea of tapping into her "wolf self," choosing paths that feel freeing rather than constrained and trusting her instincts when facing change. They also reflect on the importance of boundaries, reconnecting with nature, daily habits that sustain strong leadership, and aligning decisions with personal values rather than external expectations. This conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about perfection or performance. It is about alignment, service, growth, and trusting who you are becoming. Serve with goodness. Lead with greatness. Educate with impact. 🎧 Listen now: https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/podcast [https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/podcast] Guest Info: Dr. Kris Tolman Dr. Kris Tolman is a trained life coach and business owner of Life By Design Coaching and Training. Most recently she was the Interim Associate Director for the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) where she led programming that supported student success, faculty development, and inclusive educational practices, including organizing and directing The NISOD Conference. Before joining NISOD, Kris held roles in faculty development and served as a professor at Austin Community College (ACC). Kris completed her PhD in Adult, Professional, and Continuing Education at Texas State University, where her research focused on barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training, the relationship between adult development and adult learning, and fostering mindset shifts through developmental programs. Through her work, Kris continues to champion empowering educational environments that support all learners. As a coach, she guides people in learning to listen to their inner voice and supports them in creating the life they want to live. Guest: Dr. Kris Tolman Website: www.kristolman.com [http://www.drstephanieduguid.com] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-tolman [http://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-tolman] Host: Dr. Stephanie Duguid, Owner, Do Good Leadership Website: www.drstephanieduguid.com [http://www.drstephanieduguid.com] Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid [https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid] Facebook (Group): https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership [https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstephanieduguid/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstephanieduguid/]

Leading Beyond Titles: Three Women's Journey from Education and Corporate Careers to Aligned Entrepreneurship

Episode Description What happens when capable, service-driven women realize the systems they've succeeded in no longer reflect how they want to lead or live? In this episode of Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact, Dr. Stephanie Duguid joins Megan and Ellie, co-owners of Zestful Media and Design, for an honest conversation about three parallel leadership journeys — each rooted in values, alignment, and courage. Dr. Duguid shares her own shift from a long career in education into thought leadership, authorship, and entrepreneurship grounded in integrity and impact. Megan and Ellie reflect on their transitions from corporate real estate and corporate tech into value-driven entrepreneurship, where they now support women-owned businesses through authentic branding, website design, and strategic systems. Together, they explore what it looks like to step away from burnout, redefine leadership beyond titles, and build businesses that honor clarity, collaboration, and sustainable growth. The conversation touches on imposter syndrome, market research, mentorship, and the importance of creating work that reflects who you are — not who the system expected you to be. This episode is for women educators and leaders who are navigating change, questioning what's next, or feeling called to lead differently. It's a reminder that aligned leadership doesn't require abandoning your past — it asks you to build forward with intention. 🎧 Listen now: https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/podcast [https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/podcast] Guest Info: Megan Harrington and Ellie Johnson Megan and Ellie are the co-owners of Zestful Media & Design, where they help entrepreneurs build businesses that are both beautiful and profitable. After leaving behind burnout, unpredictable income, and toxic 9–5 jobs, they each discovered the power of systems, strategy, and design to create freedom and stability for their families. In January 2025, they teamed up—Ellie bringing the backend strategy and automations, and Megan bringing the brand identity, web design, and funnel expertise. Together, they've built a six-figure business as brand, web design, and funnel experts doing done- for-you services for female entrepreneurs—and now they're starting to teach other service providers how to build a successful business of their own using the exact strategies they used to scale to multi-6-figures. Guests: Megan Harrington and Ellie Johnson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zestfulmediadesign/ [https://www.instagram.com/zestfulmediadesign/] TikTok (JUST started it): https://www.tiktok.com/@zestfulmediadesign [https://www.tiktok.com/@zestfulmediadesign] 30 Free Social Media Canva Templates: https://www.zestfulmediadesign.com/30-canva-temps [https://www.zestfulmediadesign.com/30-canva-temps] Marketing Megamind: https://www.zestfulmediadesign.com/megamind [https://www.zestfulmediadesign.com/megamind] Host: Dr. Stephanie Duguid, Owner, Do Good Leadership Website: www.drstephanieduguid.com [http://www.drstephanieduguid.com/] Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid [https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid] Facebook (Group): https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership [https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-duguid/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-duguid/] Free Leadership Mindset Quiz: https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/leadershipmindset-quiz

Stronger Together: Leadership, Purpose, and the Power of Community Colleges with Dani Walker

Episode Description In this episode of Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact, Dr. Stephanie Duguid welcomes Dani Walker, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation at Louisiana Delta Community College, for an inspiring and transparent conversation about leadership in higher education, authentic impact, and the deep purpose behind community college work. Dani shares her leadership journey beginning with her college sorority presidency, where she first learned that leadership is not about popularity — it's about responsibility, courage, and doing the right thing even when others may not agree. She opens up about the mindset shifts, mentors, and lived experiences that shaped her unique leadership style, firmly grounded in authenticity and a "wear your own shoes" approach. Together, Stephanie and Dani explore leadership impact, self-awareness, and the power of "we-based" decision-making in organizational success. Dani shares the grounding habits that fuel her productivity — waking up at 4 AM, exercising before sunrise, and carving out quiet time to center herself before the workday begins. They discuss motherhood, marriage, sharing responsibilities at home, and embracing the strengths that women leaders often downplay — such as multitasking, emotional intelligence, and organizational excellence. The conversation deepens around community colleges as life-changing institutions. Dani and Stephanie share powerful stories of second chances, prison education programs, adult learners rebuilding their futures, and the ripple effect of accessible, high-quality pathways that help students rewrite their economic and educational trajectories. Dani also shares her SACS accreditation journey — stepping into uncertainty, building an institutional effectiveness department from scratch, and leading cross-departmental teams with clarity, communication, and positivity. She reframed accreditation from a fearful process into an opportunity for institutional growth, collaboration, and excellence. This episode is a compelling reminder that leadership in higher education is personal, purposeful, and profoundly impactful. It's about staying true to who you are, embracing challenges as growth, and leading with both backbone and heart. 🎧 Listen now: https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/podcast [https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/podcast] Guest Info: Dr. Dani Martin Walker Dani Walker is the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation at Louisiana Delta Community College with 10 years of experience in higher education. Specializing in effective organization, curriculum, and accreditation, Dani uses that experience to maintain accurate policies, effective procedures, and SACSCOC accreditation for Delta. By focusing on trends in higher education, more specifically the community college, Dani has been able to put her Doctorate in Higher Education from Texas A&M Commerce to good use. Dani's strengths have garnered some recognition in being nominated for and participation in Leadership Ouachita in 2021, receiving the Northeast Louisiana Top 20 Under 40 in 2022, and nomination and participation in Leadership Franklin in 2023. While Dani spends her days at Louisiana Delta Community College, it's the students that LDCC serves that gets them up in the morning. When she isn't at Louisiana Delta Community College, Dani loves spending time with her husband, Wade, who works as a crop consultant most weekends and her two children, Preston (6) and Celia (5), who love to be outside and into everything! Guest: Dr. Dani Martin Walker LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dani-martin-walker-edd-b7068213b [http://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-martin-walker-edd-b7068213b] Host: Dr. Stephanie Duguid, Owner, Do Good Leadership Website: www.drstephanieduguid.com [http://www.drstephanieduguid.com] Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid [https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid] Facebook (Group): https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership [https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-duguid/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-duguid/]