Collective Wisdom

It’s time for women to shine and have a voice! In this episode, Lucy is joined by Sarra Fleur Abou-El-Haj [https://www.sarrafleur.com/] and Nicole Fasolino [https://www.kateryaninc.com/art-directors/nicole-fasolino] of The What Lies Beneath Project [https://thewhatliesbeneathproject.substack.com/]. They discuss Sarra and Nicole’s careers in the fashion industry and how their work led them to launch a new photography project celebrating the essence of women at their strongest, most authentic and beautiful selves. They also pull back the curtain on their decades-long friendship and how they support each other personally and professionally in good and bad times. Tune in for inspiration to let your vulnerability — and your mistakes — guide you forward. Then subscribe to our monthly newsletter [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/newsletter-sign-up] to connect with other women seeking freedom and friendship. Jump into the conversation: [07:00] Nicole & Sarra’s career journeys [12:00] Female friendship & the power of community [15:00] The origins of The What Lies Beneath Project [https://thewhatliesbeneathproject.substack.com/] [22:45] Stories of the women photographed [29:15] Expectations vs expectancy [34:00] Working with women you trust & how to find them [38:30] Generational differences between women [45:20] Pearls of wisdom from Nicole & Sarra   Stay connected: * Check out The Murmuration Collective [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/] * Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themurmurationcollective/] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/murmuration-collective/] * Subscribe to our monthly newsletter [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/newsletter-sign-up] * Follow The What Lies Beneath Project on Substack [https://thewhatliesbeneathproject.substack.com/] and on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thewhatliesbeneathproject/] * Follow Sarra on Instagram @sarrafleurphoto [https://www.instagram.com/sarrafleurphoto/] * Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicolefasolino [https://www.instagram.com/nicolefasolino/]    Join our next Virtual Coaching Cohort [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching] — This one's for purpose-driven, career-focused women with 5–9 years of post-college experience, navigating the early stages of their careers amid workplace challenges, economic uncertainty, and a rapidly changing world. We being September 18th. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching]   Your Montana Immersive Awaits! [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive] —  Our flagship retreat, the Montana Immersive, brings you to Rocking R Guesthouse, a private residence on Flathead Lake’s breathtaking shores. Together, we’ll dive into our expansive curriculum, moving bodies and mindsets until the pathway forward becomes clear. Happening Oct 23 - 26. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive]

Happy Spring, Collective Wisdom listeners! In this episode, Lucy is joined by Chelsea Madeline [https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.k.madeline/], the brilliant author of In Her Own Right [https://www.blueskyblacksheep.com/magazine/p/in-her-own-right]. Chelsea shares her journey as a writer and community builder — telling us the stories of the women she’s gathered, the family she’s tended, and the words she’s written. This conversation is about all the ways women can support each other as we create tangible manifestations of our dreams. Chelsea also shares a few poignant passages from her book to draw us deeper into our soul’s work. Tune in for inspiration to go deeper together. Then join us in Spain this May [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/spain-immersive] to meet more women who can change your life. Use the code CREATE20 for 20% off. Jump into the conversation: [03:00] Why Chelsea created Boss Ladies Magazine [07:00] The importance of connecting deeper with women [10:30] Chelsea’s greatest fear & how it inspires her creative process [13:00] How to create tangible manifestations of our lives [19:00] Simple ways to gather communities of women [23:25] The questions Chelsea asks to deepen relationships [25:00] The beautiful story behind In Her Own Right [https://www.blueskyblacksheep.com/magazine/p/in-her-own-right] [28:00] Cultivating self-trust & overcoming doubt [39:00] The stories of Toni Morrison & Lee Krasner [42:30] Finding space to create [45:00] How Chelsea wrote her book in stolen moments of time [49:30] The moment of great repair More about our guest: Chelsea Madeline [https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.k.madeline/] is a writer, editor, and a mother exploring the world through a kaleidoscope of philosophy and poetry. She grew up in a fishing town in Maine, spent a decade in Santa Monica and currently lives with her family on a finca in Puerto Rico covered in mango trees and roaming chickens. Chelsea's editorial projects include Boss Ladies Magazine, Paper Airplanes, a newspaper of the poetry and art created during quarantine, and the Love Calendar. She is committed to creating contexts that evoke our brightest, softest selves. Stay connected: * Check out The Murmuration Collective [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/] * Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themurmurationcollective/] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/murmuration-collective/] * Subscribe to our monthly newsletter [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/newsletter-sign-up] * Buy Chelsea’s book In Her Own Right [https://www.blueskyblacksheep.com/magazine/p/in-her-own-right] * Follow Chelsea on Instagram @chelsea.k.madeline [https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.k.madeline/] * Mentioned in the episode: Reshma Khan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshmaazizkhan/?originalSubdomain=ke], Sofia Sprechmann [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-sprechmann-sineiro-72794019/]    Join our next Virtual Coaching Cohort [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching] — This one's for purpose-driven, career-focused women with 5–9 years of post-college experience, navigating the early stages of their careers amid workplace challenges, economic uncertainty, and a rapidly changing world. We being September 18th. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching]   Your Montana Immersive Awaits! [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive] —  Our flagship retreat, the Montana Immersive, brings you to Rocking R Guesthouse, a private residence on Flathead Lake’s breathtaking shores. Together, we’ll dive into our expansive curriculum, moving bodies and mindsets until the pathway forward becomes clear. Happening Oct 23 - 26. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive]

We all know work-life balance is a lie. But how can we build fulfilling careers without sacrificing our lives or leaving our jobs in the process? In this episode, Lucy is joined by Christiana Smith Shi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/csshi/], a retail executive and management consultant formerly of Nike and McKinsey who is now the co-author of Career Forward: Strategies of Women Who’ve Made It [https://www.broadwaybooks.net/book/9781668018644?ic_referral=hgcEnyOxouHacPfG0D8BH-U32D-KqQVbegUS3hDOeZIwM0X2xijbeS6IvpEFHYED2WD-P7aTXpAtGUrUFvnoCfXEm9NzGvgLUDqF7cs] — which just came out in paperback last week! Together they dive deep into how to take control of your career, build your professional equity, and cultivate your 360° life. Christiana also answers your questions about how to handle lay-offs, ways to avoid career breaks, and places you can find support when your company’s values don’t align with your own. Tune in for a powerful pep talk on getting your needs met while staying in the game. Then join us for an upcoming immersive [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/immersives] in Montana, Spain or Kenya where you can get the support you need to design what’s next for your work and life! Jump into the conversation: [6:00] Creating options and opportunities for your career [9:30] The story of how Christiana wrote Career Forward with Grace Puma [15:00] Why your job is not your career [18:00] How to build rapport with recruiters and why LinkedIn matters [25:15] Building your professional equity [34:45] The power of staying in the game [38:15] Why work-life balance is a lie and how to cultivate a 360° life [51:00] How to steer into the skid and make career pivots [56:45] How to handle a lay-off or being fired [63:00] The pros and cons of being a “strong contributor” [69:20] Why it’s worth it to build a successful career Stay connected: * Check out The Murmuration Collective [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/] * Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themurmurationcollective/] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/murmuration-collective/] * Subscribe to our monthly newsletter [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/newsletter-sign-up] * Buy Christiana’s book Career Forward: Strategies from Women Who’ve Made It [https://www.broadwaybooks.net/book/9781668018644?ic_referral=hgcEnyOxouHacPfG0D8BH-U32D-KqQVbegUS3hDOeZIwM0X2xijbeS6IvpEFHYED2WD-P7aTXpAtGUrUFvnoCfXEm9NzGvgLUDqF7cs]    Join our next Virtual Coaching Cohort [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching] — This one's for purpose-driven, career-focused women with 5–9 years of post-college experience, navigating the early stages of their careers amid workplace challenges, economic uncertainty, and a rapidly changing world. We being September 18th. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching]   Your Montana Immersive Awaits! [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive] —  Our flagship retreat, the Montana Immersive, brings you to Rocking R Guesthouse, a private residence on Flathead Lake’s breathtaking shores. Together, we’ll dive into our expansive curriculum, moving bodies and mindsets until the pathway forward becomes clear. Happening Oct 23 - 26. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive]

When we last spoke to Sarah Cunningham [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcunningham1/], she was trying to figure out how she wanted to show up in the world as both an executive leader and a boxer. Today we’re thrilled to have her back on the show to share how she recalibrated her life, her work, and her values over the past year — and to tell us why she feels more in alignment than ever. Join us for inspiration to meet this moment with creativity, accountability, and discipline. And be sure to listen to the end for an invitation to do this crucial work in community with other leaders this spring! Jump into the conversation: [5:00] How Sarah integrated her dual lifestyles [7:30] The dangers of dissonance & resentment [10:00] How to lead from behind & coach your team [12:00] Designing your relationships to cultivate more trust [13:00] Why Sarah turned down a promotion to focus on her personal life [17:00] Why the magic you’re looking for is in the work that you’re avoiding [19:00] Accountability mirrors & pearls of wisdom Stay connected: * Check out The Murmuration Collective [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/] * Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themurmurationcollective/] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/murmuration-collective/] * Subscribe to our monthly newsletter [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/newsletter-sign-up] * Mentioned in the episode: David Goggins [https://davidgoggins.com/], The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin [https://www.amazon.com/Art-Learning-Journey-Optimal-Performance/dp/0743277465/]    Join our next Virtual Coaching Cohort [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching] — This one's for purpose-driven, career-focused women with 5–9 years of post-college experience, navigating the early stages of their careers amid workplace challenges, economic uncertainty, and a rapidly changing world. We being September 18th. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching]   Your Montana Immersive Awaits! [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive] —  Our flagship retreat, the Montana Immersive, brings you to Rocking R Guesthouse, a private residence on Flathead Lake’s breathtaking shores. Together, we’ll dive into our expansive curriculum, moving bodies and mindsets until the pathway forward becomes clear. Happening Oct 23 - 26. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive]

Today we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations from season one where Lucy sat down with Sarah Cunningham [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcunningham1/], an executive leader at AKQA and a winner of the Golden Gloves tournament at Madison Square Garden. In this conversation, Sarah shared her inspiring journey from Ireland to NYC and the transformative coaching experience that helped her achieve alignment between her personal and professional life. A lot has changed for Sarah since we first shared this episode, so next week she’ll be back on the show to give us an update on her journey! We’ll also be sharing a new coaching container we’re launching for our community this spring. Before then, tune in to this inspiring conversation where we explore: [3:15] Sarah’s career dreams as a little girl and what advice she would give that little girl now [5:19] Inner Wisdom and how to know when you are in alignment with your values [15:27] What happened when Sarah had the courage to integrate her two worlds and share them publicly with others [19:19] Sarah’s story of stepping into the ring at Madison Square Garden to finally achieve her dream. [23:46] The power of asking for help and activating your Board of Advisors. [27:30] Sarah's final pearl of wisdom using a boxing metaphor of not staying in the pocket too long   Stay connected: * Check out The Murmuration Collective [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/] * Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themurmurationcollective/] & LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/murmuration-collective/] * Subscribe to our monthly newsletter [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/newsletter-sign-up]    Join our next Virtual Coaching Cohort [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching] — This one's for purpose-driven, career-focused women with 5–9 years of post-college experience, navigating the early stages of their careers amid workplace challenges, economic uncertainty, and a rapidly changing world. We being September 18th. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/cohort-zoom-coaching]   Your Montana Immersive Awaits! [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive] —  Our flagship retreat, the Montana Immersive, brings you to Rocking R Guesthouse, a private residence on Flathead Lake’s breathtaking shores. Together, we’ll dive into our expansive curriculum, moving bodies and mindsets until the pathway forward becomes clear. Happening Oct 23 - 26. Learn more and join us. [https://www.themurmurationcollective.com/montana-immersive]