Authenticity Unfiltered: The Cost of Conforming

I Am The Damn Table: On Confidence, Solo Adoption & Self Trust

In this episode of In The Room, On Purpose, Alyssa sits down with leadership strategist and founder of Primrose Leadership Solutions, Jennifer, for a conversation on self-trust, whole human leadership, solo adoption, and what it means to contribute in the room you worked so hard to enter. From selling rocks on the side of a gravel road as a child to leading inside Fortune 50 companies and eventually building her own coaching and leadership development firm, Jennifer shares the through-line that shaped her life: confidence, curiosity, and the willingness to keep playing. Together, Alyssa and Jennifer unpack leadership without ego, motherhood through solo adoption, learning to stop “borrowing trouble,” and why women need to stop shrinking once they finally get a seat at the table. This conversation is reflective, funny, deeply honest, and full of practical wisdom for women building careers, businesses, families, and identities on their own terms. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Why confidence is something you can practice and build over time * The difference between controlling outcomes and trusting your future self * How whole human leadership creates stronger teams and healthier workplaces * What Jennifer learned through the solo adoption process and becoming a mother * Why your value in the room comes from contribution—not just earning the seat CHAPTER TIMELINE 00:00 — “Hold My Beer”: Jennifer’s energy and confidence from day one 02:30 — Selling rocks, childhood confidence, and being your own hype person 06:45 — “Keep Playing” and leaving corporate America 10:30 — Entrepreneurship, leadership consulting, and learning through experience 15:00 — Internal champions, navigating resistance, and leading through conflict 20:30 — Trying on leadership before stepping fully into management 23:00 — Whole human leadership and emotional honesty at work 29:30 — Control, ego work, and trusting your future self 31:45 — Jennifer’s journey into solo adoption and motherhood 36:00 — Adoption realities, identity, and difficult conversations 42:30 — Women in leadership, communication styles, and speaking in bullets 46:00 — Control vs influence and redefining success through entrepreneurship 48:30 — Being the only woman in the room and knowing why you belong there 52:00 — Female friendships, accountability, and building while being seen 54:45 — Pilates, burnout recovery, and slowing down 57:30 — Build It or Leave It 1:02:00 — Final reflections on confidence, purpose, and being “the damn table”

Your Alter Ego Doesn't Play It Safe

Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/intheroomonpurpose/] for data/stats relevant to women in business and Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@intheroomonpurpose] for BTS! Alyssa Edwards [https://www.impactbyalyssa.com/] sits down with Anne of So Sloan [https://www.sosloane.com/]. Anne is a two time founder, Ralph Lauren & Estee Lauder alum, CGI & AI Content Strategist and much more! This conversation covers a range of themes including resilience, personal growth, founder experiences, AI in consumer products, and empowering consumer choices. It delves into the journey of self-exploration, the pivot from Estee Lauder to Ralph Lauren, and the importance of resilience and learning. The discussion also explores the founder's experiences with two businesses, the role of AI in the beauty industry, and the concept of an alter ego as a source of confidence and empowerment. The conversation delves into the concept of embracing one's alter ego, the impact of CGI and AI content creation, the significance of the Alter Ego series, the value of challenges and growth, leaving perfection behind, the weightlifting journey, AI's role in consumerism, personalized skincare, and the future of AI in beauty. The discussion emphasizes the empowerment of individuals through self-discovery and the transformative potential of AI in the beauty and wellness industry. Takeaways * Resilience and learning are key to success * Self-discovery and personal growth are ongoing processes embracing the alter ego empowers individuals to step into their most confident selves. * AI is revolutionizing the beauty and wellness industry by offering customized solutions and improving consumer-brand connections. Chapters * 00:00 Pivoting and Passion * 15:03 Resilience and Learning * 21:06 Journey of Self-Exploration * 30:45 Founder Experience: Second Business * 36:43 AI and Authenticity * 45:44 CGI and AI Content * 51:33 Weightlifting Journey * 59:36 Personalized Skincare

Let's Chat

In the Room on Purpose is a platform for women to engage in open and honest conversations about ambition, leadership, growth, and finding their voice. Alyssa Edwards shares her vision of creating a space for diverse female experiences and empowerment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and accountability. The show aims to provide long-form, docu-style conversations and values audience engagement and connection. Takeaways * Empowerment through diverse perspectives * Value for audience engagement and connection Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to In the Room on Purpose * 06:07 Diverse Perspectives and Accountability * 12:38 Looking Forward

Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good with THE Holly B. Miller

Thank you for being here, I am so excited to build this together. Please remember that this show is FOR you and we would love our next conversation to be suggested BY you! Email the show to submit a question or topic you want to dig into, together. Website: https://intheroomonpurpose.com/ [https://intheroomonpurpose.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheroomonpurpose/ [https://www.instagram.com/intheroomonpurpose/] Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/intheroomonpurpose/p/everyonesoundsthesame?r=7xgz7i&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web [https://open.substack.com/pub/intheroomonpurpose/p/everyonesoundsthesame?r=7xgz7i&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/112300989/admin/dashboard/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/112300989/admin/dashboard/] How do you define your confidence and what do you do in your life to grow it? In this episode of In The Room, On Purpose, Alyssa sits down with Holly Bird Miller, CEO and founder of Makeup by Holly Beauty Partners, for a real conversation about identity, self-worth, image, and the deeply personal work of becoming your own brand. Holly shares how childhood insecurity shaped her early sense of self, how she built confidence through leadership, and how she turned a creative side hustle into a national brand. Together, they unpack the difference between using beauty as a mask versus a tool, the role personal brand plays in modern leadership, and why women deserve to take up space fully and unapologetically. Thats right!! In this conversation: * Holly’s journey from healthcare leadership to founder * How insecurity can shape the way women show up at work and in life * Why confidence is the most important thing you can wear * The connection between visibility, credibility, and opportunity * What it means to build a personal brand rooted in authenticity * Why women need to stop playing small * How image can support confidence without becoming a mask * The emotional power of being truly seen If this episode speaks to you, subscribe, share it with a woman in your life, and leave a comment with the moment that stayed with you. This show is FOR you and we want our next conversation to be suggested BY you! Email the show to submit a question, topic or area you want us to dig into! See you next time <3 For more on Holly, visit her on her Instagram, Website or LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/makeupbyholly/ [https://www.instagram.com/makeupbyholly/] https://www.makeupbyhollyb.com/ [https://www.makeupbyhollyb.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/makeup-by-holly-beauty-partners-b2020053/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/makeup-by-holly-beauty-partners-b2020053/] #InTheRoomOnPurpose #WomenInLeadership #PersonalBrand #Confidence #FemaleFounder #LeadershipPodcast #Authenticity #CareerGrowth #WomenAtWork

Authenticity Unfiltered: The Cost of Conforming

Want to build a professional playbook for women in a world made for men? Perfect. Subscribe and join us. What does it actually mean to be authentic and is there a cost? In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Michelle Mercurio [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemercurio/] to unpack the pressure to fit into corporate culture, the cost of hiding behind professionalism, and why authenticity is less about being fully exposed and more about being fully integrated. Michelle shares how her own path led her from corporate leadership into the work she now does as “the authenticist,” helping people reconnect with who they are, what they value, and how they want to live and lead. In this episode: * Why authenticity became a leadership buzzword and does it still matter * How belonging can lead us to betray parts of ourselves * The difference between privacy, performance, and true self-expression * Why ambition and authenticity are not opposites * How to identify forced energy versus flow in your own life * Michelle’s hot takes on authenticity at work, leadership, confidence, and being liked Resources & Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheroomonpurpose/ [https://www.instagram.com/intheroomonpurpose/]Guest: Michelle Mercurio [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemercurio/]Host: Alyssa Edwards [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-edwards-21b258b1/] Sponsor mentioned: Coffitivity [https://coffitivity.com/], code INTHEROOM20 for 20% off your subscription