Conversations with Erica

Episode Trailer: Get Organized at Work (Full Episode Coming Soon)

What happens when your priorities and your calendar do not match? In this short clip from an upcoming episode of Conversations with Erica, productivity coach and Certified Professional Organizer® Lisa Griffith names a challenge many professionals experience. You say something matters, but your time tells a different story. That disconnect is more common than you might think. It is also where meaningful change begins. When you take time to notice the gap between what you value and how you are actually using your time, you create an opportunity to make more intentional decisions about where your energy goes. WHAT THIS CLIP HIGHLIGHTS * Why feeling disorganized is often about misaligned priorities, not lack of effort * How your calendar reflects what is actually getting your attention * The role of awareness in creating meaningful change * Why acknowledging the disconnect is the first step toward clarity KEY TAKEAWAY Clarity begins when you are willing to see what is true. When your priorities and your time are out of alignment, that awareness gives you a place to begin. FULL EPISODE COMING SOON The full conversation with Lisa Griffith will be released soon. Follow Conversations with Erica so you do not miss the episode. CONTINUE EXPLORING Explore more podcast episodes and coaching resources [https://www.ericamattison.com/conversations-with-erica] ➔ If you are ready to clarify your priorities and direction, you can schedule a Career Strategy Consultation [https://www.ericamattison.com/coaching-consultation] ➔

Women’s Visibility and Leadership Presence: Kimberly Paulk on Clarity, Confidence, and Career Growth

EPISODE DESCRIPTION What helps women become more visible, more confident, and more intentional in their careers? In this episode of Conversations with Erica, Erica Mattison speaks with Kimberly Paulk, founder of Purple Thread Strategies, about women’s professional visibility, leadership presence, self-advocacy, and the courage to shape an intentional next chapter. Kimberly shares how her own career transition and coaching experience helped her clarify her direction and step more fully into work centered on helping women articulate their value, refine their message, and become more visible to the audiences who matter most. Together, Erica and Kimberly explore what it means to pause, reflect, and move forward with greater intention. They discuss coaching, self-trust, healthy boundaries, entrepreneurship, community, creativity, and the importance of giving yourself grace as you grow. This conversation will resonate with women in leadership, professionals navigating career transition, and anyone seeking more clarity, confidence, and direction in their work and life. IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL VISIBILITY AND LEADERSHIP PRESENCE Kimberly shares how she came to focus her work on helping women strengthen their visibility, clarify their message, and become more visible in spaces that matter. She also speaks to the larger importance of helping more women gain access to opportunities and leadership spaces that matter. CAREER TRANSITION AND BUILDING AN INTENTIONAL NEXT CHAPTER This conversation explores what it looks like to pause instead of simply moving to the next available opportunity. Kimberly reflects on reaching a transition point in life and career, choosing to be more intentional, and recognizing the value of giving herself time to figure out what came next. COACHING, CLARITY, AND SELF-TRUST Kimberly reflects on why she chose to work with a coach at that point in her life and career, and what she gained from having dedicated space to reflect, process, and move forward. She shares that while she initially wanted someone to hand her the answer, coaching helped her arrive at a direction that felt more authentic, self-generated, and aligned with who she is. BOUNDARIES, CONFIDENCE, AND SELF-ADVOCACY Erica and Kimberly discuss the importance of recognizing your own value, setting healthier boundaries, and understanding that women are often more capable and more prepared than they give themselves credit for. The conversation also touches on negotiation, confidence, and the need to challenge limiting narratives. ENTREPRENEURSHIP, COMMUNITY, AND SUPPORT Kimberly talks about the realities of self-employment, the importance of peer support, and why building community matters when you no longer have a built-in team around you. She also reflects on the fact that running a small business is about more than generating revenue. It is also about creating value, helping people, and building work that reflects what matters to you. CREATIVITY, EXPLORATION, AND A FULLER LIFE The episode also highlights the importance of making time for creativity as part of a full and sustainable life. Erica and Kimberly reflect on art, dance, music, and other creative practices not as extras, but as meaningful ways to restore energy, support well-being, and create space for discovery. Kimberly also speaks about the joy of discovery itself, describing learning something new as deeply energizing and meaningful, especially when that learning can be used to help more women gain visibility. The conversation reinforces that time away from work can strengthen creativity, sustainability, and the value you bring to others. TOPICS DISCUSSED women’s leadership, professional visibility for women, leadership presence, personal branding, career transition, executive coaching, coaching for clarity, self-trust, self-advocacy, healthy boundaries, entrepreneurship, women in business, negotiation for women, intentional career development, confidence, community, creativity, sustainable success, purpose-driven business KEY TAKEAWAYS Kimberly shares that her work today is centered on helping women become more visible and more clearly communicate their value. She is especially motivated by the desire to help more women gain access to opportunities and leadership spaces that matter. She also reflects on how coaching supported her in pausing, being more intentional, and receiving the support she needed to build greater clarity and a stronger sense of direction. Rather than being handed an answer, she gained a clearer sense of ownership over the path she was creating. Another important theme in the conversation is the value of patience and experimentation. Kimberly encourages listeners not to rush, not to expect perfection, and not to assume they need to have everything figured out immediately. Sometimes the next meaningful step is simply to try something, learn from it, and keep going. The episode also reinforces that you already have value. You do not need to be everything to everyone all at once. Growth becomes more sustainable when you honor your strengths, set boundaries, receive support, and give yourself grace. The conversation also highlights that building a business is not only about income. It is also about contribution, impact, and creating something that genuinely helps people. ABOUT KIMBERLY PAULK Kimberly Paulk is the founder of Purple Thread Strategies, a personal branding consultancy focused on increasing women’s professional visibility and leadership presence. Drawing on leadership experience in nonprofit and corporate settings, she helps women articulate their value, refine their message, and become more visible to the audiences who matter most. Learn more at Purple Thread Strategies [https://www.purplethreadstrategies.com/] ➔ REFLECTION QUESTIONS * Where are you ready to become more visible, and what value might you be underestimating in yourself right now? * Where would it help to pause, be more intentional, and receive the support that could strengthen your clarity and sense of direction? * What is one next step that feels a little uncomfortable, and what might become possible if you gave yourself permission to try? CLOSING If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who is navigating a career transition, growing into leadership, or reflecting on how to move forward with greater intention. You can learn more about Kimberly Paulk and her work at Purple Thread Strategies [https://www.purplethreadstrategies.com/] ➔ To learn more about Erica Mattison’s work supporting purpose-driven professionals through executive coaching, career clarity, and leadership development, visit EricaMattison.com [https://www.ericamattison.com/] ➔

In the People Business: Trust, Risk, and Relationships | Kashif Ahmed

EPISODE SUMMARY What does it really mean to be in the people business? In this episode of Conversations with Erica, I speak with private wealth manager and professor Kashif Ahmed about the human side of financial planning. We explore trust, risk, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, networking, and the mindset required to build both a business and a meaningful life. This conversation goes beyond money. It touches on discipline, relationships, leadership, and the kind of long-term thinking that supports both professional success and personal fulfillment. TOPICS WE DISCUSS • Why wealth management is fundamentally a relationship business • The role of trust in financial planning and leadership • Removing emotion from financial decisions • Fear and greed in money management • Career pivots and taking calculated risks • What entrepreneurship really requires • Networking as contribution, not extraction • Why multitasking reduces effectiveness • The power of persistence and self-belief • Building a legacy that extends beyond financial success ABOUT KASHIF AHMED Kashif Ahmed, MBA, MSF, PGDMS, CFP®, is the Founder and President of American Private Wealth, LLC®. Born in Pakistan and raised in Kuwait before escaping the Iraqi occupation, Kashif brings a global perspective shaped by resilience and adaptability. His career spans consulting with multinational corporations including Royal Dutch Shell, Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank Global Relationship Banking, Fleet Bank, John Hancock, Iron Mountain, The World Bank, and the Government of Uzbekistan. He also pioneered the design of a fully automated, web-based, multi-currency supply chain risk management system. In addition to leading his firm, Kashif teaches graduate-level finance and investments and has been mentoring professionals since 1999. Learn more about Kashif and his firm: American Private Wealth [https://americanprivatewealth.com/] ➔ REFLECTING ON YOUR OWN CAREER OR LEADERSHIP DIRECTION? If this conversation sparked reflection about your own career growth or leadership direction, you may find my coaching resources helpful. I work with purpose-driven professionals and leaders navigating career transitions, leadership decisions, and meaningful change. Explore coaching options [https://www.ericamattison.com/coaching-plans] ➔ Or start with a guided reflection [https://www.ericamattison.com/career-clarity-compass] ➔

Social Media Strategy for Small Businesses That Want to Thrive | Amanda Russell

EPISODE SUMMARY What does a thoughtful, sustainable approach to social media look like for entrepreneurs and small businesses? In this episode of Conversations with Erica, I speak with Amanda Russell, founder of Amanda Gets Social. Amanda works with small business owners and consumer packaged goods brands to simplify social media strategy and digital marketing. Our conversation explores what it means to grow a business over time with consistency, patience, and intention. We discuss visibility, fear, entrepreneurship, AI tools, stepping away from screens, and building a social media approach that supports both business growth and a thriving life. TOPICS WE DISCUSS • Building a sustainable social media strategy for small businesses • Why entrepreneurship often resembles gardening: patience, consistency, and trust in the process • Navigating fear and visibility when putting yourself out there • Distinguishing between true capacity limits and avoidance driven by fear • Moving beyond vanity metrics like followers and likes • Aligning social media strategy with real business goals • Adapting your marketing approach as your business evolves • Using AI tools thoughtfully while maintaining authenticity • The importance of stepping away from screens to support creativity and clarity ABOUT AMANDA RUSSELL Amanda Russell is the founder of Amanda Gets Social, where she helps small businesses and CPG brands simplify social media strategy and digital marketing. Through her work with entrepreneurs and growing companies, Amanda focuses on helping clients develop clear, manageable approaches to social media that support long-term visibility and sustainable business growth. Follow Amanda on [https://www.instagram.com/amandagetssocial/]Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amandagetssocial/] ➔ REFLECTING ON YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL VISIBILITY Many professionals and entrepreneurs think about social media primarily in terms of tactics. This conversation invites a broader perspective. Visibility decisions are often connected to deeper questions about identity, growth, and the kind of work and life you want to build. You might reflect on questions such as: • Where might consistency and patience serve you better than pushing for immediate results? • Is there something you have been postponing because of fear rather than lack of capacity? • How could your visibility strategy better support your broader professional goals? REFLECTING ON YOUR OWN CAREER OR LEADERSHIP DIRECTION If this conversation sparked reflection about your own professional direction, you may find my coaching resources helpful. I work with purpose-driven professionals and leaders navigating career transitions, leadership decisions, and meaningful change. Explore coaching [https://www.ericamattison.com/coaching-plans]options [https://www.ericamattison.com/coaching-plans] ➔   [https://www.ericamattison.com/coaching-plans]Or start with a guided [https://www.ericamattison.com/career-clarity-compass]reflection [https://www.ericamattison.com/career-clarity-compass] ➔

Building Relationships That Last: Leadership Lessons from David Halbert

Strong leadership starts with strong relationships. In this episode, David Halbert shares how values-driven leadership, humility, and long-term relationship building shape a meaningful career in public service. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THAT LAST: LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM DAVID HALBERT What does relationship-driven leadership really look like in public service? In this episode of Conversations with Erica, I’m joined by my longtime friend David Halbert, a respected public service leader whose career has been shaped by values, relationships, and a commitment to community impact. David shares how building and maintaining strong relationships has opened doors throughout his career, why humility matters in leadership, and how great leaders create opportunities for others rather than holding them back. We talk about taking risks, investing in continuous learning, recognizing when you’ve outgrown a role, and how growth often comes from moments that don’t go as planned. We also explore how David sustains his energy across professional, family, and community commitments, from planning ahead and using technology intentionally to prioritizing wellbeing. Shortly after this conversation was recorded, David stepped into a new role as the first Director of External Affairs at Framingham State University, reflecting a continued commitment to education and public service. This episode is especially relevant for anyone interested in public service, values-driven leadership, career growth, and building relationships that last. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: * Why relationships matter in leadership and career development * How to build meaningful, mutually beneficial professional connections * Leadership rooted in values, humility, and service * Taking risks and learning from unexpected outcomes * Knowing when you’ve outgrown a role and how to move forward * Creating organizations that serve as launching pads for others * Sustaining energy through planning, wellbeing, and support systems GUEST: David Halbert is a public service leader and former Executive Director of Bay State Progress. He currently serves as the first Director of External Affairs at Framingham State University and has worked across government, nonprofit, and community-based organizations in Massachusetts. RELATED LINKS: Read the companion blog post [https://www.ericamattison.com/blog/relationship-driven-public-service-leadership ] ➔ How to Get Started in Public Policy [https://www.ericamattison.com/blog/how-to-get-started-in-public-policy] ➔ David Halbert: @voteHalbert Bay State Progress [https://baystateprogress.org/]