Why Being Yourself Is Good for Business with Deanna Dolecki & Ashley Ruggeri

Why Being Yourself Is Good for Business with Deanna Dolecki & Ashley Ruggeri

We spend so much time trying to make our businesses look polished, professional and perfectly put together that sometimes we edit out the very thing people would connect with most: ourselves. Deanna Dolecki is the president of Blue Duck Agency, where Ashley Ruggeri serves as account director. Together, they also host the Ducks Unplugged podcast—an unscripted mix of business, work, life and the wonderfully ridiculous debates that happen when two women with different perspectives stop trying to sound polished and simply let themselves talk. Deanna and Ashley share why their podcast became more effective when they stopped trying to make every episode perfect, how being themselves helps clients understand what it is actually like to work with them, and why fun, creativity and human connection still matter in business. We also talk about resilience, career pivots, raising children who may eventually work in jobs that do not exist yet. And, naturally, whether anyone should get bangs. In this episode, we talk about: * Following the fun as a business strategy * Why people want to work with people they like * Creating trust through real human connection * Using AI without losing your ideas, creativity or voice * Releasing imperfect work and learning from the response * Hiring for personality, motivation and other intangibles * Why trying something and changing direction is not failure * Making room for both meaningful conversations and ridiculous debates Connect with Deanna and Ashley: Website: https://www.blueduckagency.com/ [https://www.blueduckagency.com/] Ashley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-ruggeri/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-ruggeri/] Deanna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-dolecki-45b2482/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-dolecki-45b2482/] Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueduckagency/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueduckagency/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueduckagency/ [https://www.facebook.com/blueduckagency/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueduckagencymarketing/ [https://www.instagram.com/blueduckagencymarketing/]  When’s the last time you did something just for YOU? 🍷✨ Wine Camp 2026 is your chance to escape, sip fabulous local wines, cruise at sunset, laugh around the fire pit, and soak up the magic of New York’s Finger Lakes. 📍 Dates: July 30–August 2, 2026 🏡 Spots are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Bring your besties or come solo—you’ll leave with new favorites either way. Wine Camp 2026 is calling. Are you in? Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call [https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call] Wine Camp 2026: Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp] Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider] Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip] Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com] Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots [https://www.instagram.com/penny4yourshots/] Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald [https://www.facebook.com/PennyFitzyWine]

How Hormone Shifts Affect Women’s Health with Sarah Norris, ARNP, MSCP

What if the symptoms you’ve been blaming on stress, aging, or “just life” are actually connected to hormone shifts? This week, I’m joined by Sarah Norris, a nurse practitioner in urology and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. Sarah also happens to be my urology provider, and I have been so excited to share this conversation because it touches on so many things women experience but often don’t talk about openly enough. We talk about peri-menopause, post-menopause, hormone therapy, vaginal estrogen, urinary symptoms, recurrent UTIs, painful sex, libido, testosterone, sleep, bone health, heart health, and that hard-to-explain feeling of, “I just don’t feel like myself.” Sarah explains these topics in such a clear and compassionate way, and my hope is that this episode helps you feel less alone, more informed, and more confident starting a conversation with your own healthcare provider. This conversation is educational and encouraging, but it is not personal medical advice. Please talk with your own healthcare provider about your body, your symptoms, and what may be right for you. Resources: Sarah Norris, ARNP, MSCP: https://www.mercycare.org/doctors/doctor-public-profile/sarah-norris/ [https://www.mercycare.org/doctors/doctor-public-profile/sarah-norris/]  The Menopause Society: menopause.org [http://menopause.org] Books: Avrum Bluming, MD and Carol Tavris, PhD, Estrogen Matters Mary Claire Haver, MD, The New Menopause… Mary Claire Haver MD, The New Perimenopause… Kelly Casperson, MD, The Menopause Moment… Heather Hirsch, MD, The Perimenopausal Survival Guide… Dr. Louise Newson, Preparing for Perimenopause and Menopause Dr. Jessica Shephard, Generation M… Stephanie Faubion, MD, The New Rules of Menopause… Podcasts: You Are Not Broken The Dr. Louise Newson Podcast The International Menopause Society Podcast Menopause and Cancer Hello Menopause Menopause: Unmuted Guest speakers to search for: Kelly Casperson, Corrine Menn, Heather Hirsch, Mary Claire Haver, Stacy London Documentaries: Balance: A Perimenopause Journey, Amazon Prime (Jan. 2026) The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause (2024) Your Fantastic Mood: Menopause, PBS (2023) Sex, Myths and the Menopause (2021) When’s the last time you did something just for YOU? 🍷✨ Wine Camp 2026 is your chance to escape, sip fabulous local wines, cruise at sunset, laugh around the fire pit, and soak up the magic of New York’s Finger Lakes. 📍 Dates: July 30–August 2, 2026 🏡 Spots are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Bring your besties or come solo—you’ll leave with new favorites either way. Wine Camp 2026 is calling. Are you in? Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call [https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call] Wine Camp 2026: Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp] Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider] Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip] Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com] Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots [https://www.instagram.com/penny4yourshots/] Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald [https://www.facebook.com/PennyFitzyWine]

Visibility Is Service: Sharing Your Story with Priya Dua

If you've ever hesitated to post about a client win, an award, or even the impact you're making because you didn't want people to think you were bragging...this episode is for you. One of the things Priya Dua and I kept coming back to in this conversation is how uncomfortable so many women are talking about what they do. We work hard. We care deeply about serving others. But when it's time to share our accomplishments or tell people how we can help, many of us suddenly get quiet. Priya's expertise is in public relations, and she spends her days helping founders and business leaders tell their stories. I work with women who are building businesses rooted in service, not sales. Although we come at it from different angles, we agreed on something that's so important: People can't benefit from your gifts if they don't know you exist. Sharing your story isn't about making yourself the hero. It's about helping the people who need what you offer find you. We also talked about the difference between PR and marketing, why authenticity will always outlast chasing social media trends, how AI can support your business without replacing your voice, and why your experience and wisdom are some of your greatest strengths. And because this is Penny for Your Shots, we couldn't end the conversation without talking about espresso martinis, bowling leagues, and why making time for your girlfriends might be one of the smartest things you do all week. Sometimes filling your own cup is exactly what allows you to keep pouring into everyone else. In this episode, we talk about: *  Why visibility is an act of service, not self-promotion  *  The difference between public relations and marketing  *  Why women often downplay their accomplishments  *  How to share your story without feeling like you're bragging  *  Choosing authentic connection over chasing social media trends  *  Using AI as a tool while keeping your unique voice  *  Making time for friendships, fun, and filling your own cup  Connect with Priya Dua Website: https://arkivepr.com/ [https://arkivepr.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyadua/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyadua/] When’s the last time you did something just for YOU? 🍷✨ Wine Camp 2026 is your chance to escape, sip fabulous local wines, cruise at sunset, laugh around the fire pit, and soak up the magic of New York’s Finger Lakes. 📍 Dates: July 30–August 2, 2026 🏡 Spots are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Bring your besties or come solo—you’ll leave with new favorites either way. Wine Camp 2026 is calling. Are you in? Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call [https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call] Wine Camp 2026: Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp] Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider] Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip] Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com] Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots [https://www.instagram.com/penny4yourshots/] Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald [https://www.facebook.com/PennyFitzyWine]

How to Stay Open and Connected in a Guarded World with Tracey Elam

How do you stay open to people while still trusting your instincts? In this week's conversation, Tracey Elam and I explore one of the biggest challenges many of us face: balancing discernment with connection. We talk about the conditioning that shapes our beliefs, the ways fear can quietly influence our decisions, and why staying curious may be one of the most powerful tools we have for creating meaningful relationships. While we don't see every topic exactly the same way, that's part of what makes this conversation so valuable. It's a reminder that we can stay open, ask questions, and learn from one another without abandoning our own inner knowing. In This Episode: • The difference between instinct and fear  • How conditioning influences the way we see the world  • Why assumptions often block genuine connection  • The importance of curiosity in relationships  • What it means to be fully present with another person  • Being prepared versus living in fear  • Learning to trust yourself without shutting others out Key Topics • Self-trust  • Personal growth  • Midlife mindset shifts  • Connection and relationships  • Curiosity and discernment  • Fear versus intuition  • Women rediscovering themselves Connect with Tracey: https://www.instagram.com/iamtraceyelam/  When’s the last time you did something just for YOU? 🍷✨ Wine Camp 2026 is your chance to escape, sip fabulous local wines, cruise at sunset, laugh around the fire pit, and soak up the magic of New York’s Finger Lakes. 📍 Dates: July 30–August 2, 2026 🏡 Spots are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Bring your besties or come solo—you’ll leave with new favorites either way. Wine Camp 2026 is calling. Are you in? Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call [https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call] Wine Camp 2026: Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp] Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider] Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip] Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com] Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots [https://www.instagram.com/penny4yourshots/] Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald [https://www.facebook.com/PennyFitzyWine]

How Women Build Confidence Through Connection with Jillian Johnson

What if confidence isn't something you find... but something you build? In this week's conversation, Penny sits down with Jillian Johnson, founder of LEGS (Ladies Executive Golf Society), to explore how connection, community, and a little bit of courage can transform the way women show up in their lives and businesses. While golf may have brought these women together, this conversation is really about something much bigger: creating opportunities, embracing joy, and stepping into spaces where we may not have always felt invited. Jillian shares how she went from corporate employee benefits consulting to building a national organization designed to help women feel confident, connected, and empowered through golf. They also explore why play matters, how community supports our mental health, and why women deserve spaces that encourage collaboration over competition. Please note: This episode includes discussion of trauma and attempted assault. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode: • How Jillian turned an idea into a national community for women • Why confidence is built through connection and experience • The networking opportunities many women miss and how to change that • Why fun and play are essential, not optional • The role community plays in women's well-being • How to stop worrying about what others think and start showing up authentically If you've been craving more confidence, meaningful friendships, or permission to try something new, this conversation is for you. Connect with Jillian: Website: legs.golf [https://www.ladiesexecutivegolfsociety.com/] LinkedIn: Jillian Johnson, founder of #LEGS [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-foss/] When’s the last time you did something just for YOU? 🍷✨ Wine Camp 2026 is your chance to escape, sip fabulous local wines, cruise at sunset, laugh around the fire pit, and soak up the magic of New York’s Finger Lakes. 📍 Dates: July 30–August 2, 2026 🏡 Spots are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Bring your besties or come solo—you’ll leave with new favorites either way. Wine Camp 2026 is calling. Are you in? Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call [https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call] Wine Camp 2026: Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp] Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider] Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip] Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com [https://www.pennyforyourshots.com] Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots [https://www.instagram.com/penny4yourshots/] Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald [https://www.facebook.com/PennyFitzyWine]