In Confidence with Lisa Sun: A Gravitas Podcast

Have you ever been called bossy, cold, or intimidating at work? Or been told you're too quiet to lead? In this episode of In Confidence, we unpack the triple standard women face at work and how it affects how we’re perceived, promoted, and valued. Through personal stories, surprising research, and tactical ways to reframe the narrative, Lisa shares how the Leading superpower can be both your greatest strength and your most misunderstood quality. Learn how to expand the scorecard for success, advocate for yourself in real time, and lead with both clarity and connection.   Let’s redefine what leadership really looks like.   00:00 Intro 00:43 Defining the Triple Standard 02:58 The Hidden Bias Behind Promotion 03:57 Expanding the Scorecard and Helping Women Embrace and Appreciate Their Superpowers 05:40 How to Respond When You've Been Called Bossy 10:04 Balancing Leadership with Connection 13:46 Final Thoughts: You're Not Bossy, You're Leading 14:57 Outro 15:23 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa sits down with Lindsay Shookus—former SNL producer, co-founder of Women Work F#cking Hard, and speaker—to talk about reinvention, resilience, and redefining success.Lindsay shares what it looks like to embrace uncertainty, build a “portfolio life,” and trust in your own talents, even through wobbly moments.   Key Takeaways: Why “normalizing wobbliness” is crucial when navigating career transitions or reinvention How to build a portfolio career based on energy, joy, and trust in your talents Strategies for making meaningful connections (even if you're introverted) Why showing up, especially when you don’t feel like it, can change your life   00:00 Intro 00:50 Meet Lindsay Shookus 03:48 What It Really Takes to Leave a 20-Year Career 11:03 Founding WWFH and Creating a Space for Women to Support Each Other 17:55 Authentic Connection, Showing Up, and Advice for Introverts 21:20 Letting the Universe Guide What's Next 22:52 The Portfolio Life: Reinvention, Speaking, and Creative Problem Solving 33:50 Normalizing Wobbliness and Discomfort 37:06 Final Thoughts and What She's Most Excited About 41:07 Outro 42:01 Disclaimer   Seen on Lisa in this episode: the ⁠Unbossed & Unbought Sweatshirt⁠, inspired by Shirley Chisholm's 1972 Presidential campaign slogan. Chisholm challenged societal norms to give marginalized groups a voice, becoming the first Black Congresswoman and the first Black woman to run for a major-party presidential nomination. Get yours today on ⁠GravitasNewYork.com⁠.    Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

This episode of In Confidence gives you two tools to name what’s holding you back and recognize the strengths already within you that will help you push through it. Lisa walks you through a weekend reflection practice on the six forces that fuel your inner critic and invites you to rediscover your confidence through the Gravitas Confidence Language Quiz. You’ll leave this episode with more clarity, more self-belief, and a simple mindset shift: the thing standing in your way isn’t stronger than the power you already have.   Take our Confidence Language Quiz   Head to our website to download the episode worksheets   00:00 Intro 00:39 Exercise 1: Identifying the Six Forces That Hold You Back 01:46 Lisa’s Personal Story: Facing the Satisfaction Conundrum 03:15 Exercise 2: Take the Confidence Language Quiz 03:33 How to Interpret Your Quiz Results 04:31 A Family Breakthrough from the Quiz 06:12 What Changes When You Name Your Strengths 06:31 Outro 06:59 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠Visit Our Website⁠ ⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠ ⁠Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Suggestions or Questions? Email Us. E-Mail: inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com 

Only 12% of people have the Performing superpower—the ability to shine in front of others with ease. But what if you could practice it in a way that’s low-stakes, joyful, and just plain fun? In this episode, Lisa explores how karaoke can be a powerful tool for building confidence in everyday life. She’s joined by writer, editor, and karaoke journalist Ada Tseng, creator of the LA Times Karaoke Generator, to talk about how karaoke helps us get comfortable with the spotlight on our own terms. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the Performing superpower is (and why so few of us claim it) Why karaoke is actually risk-free confidence training How to pick your perfect karaoke song (with data to back it up) Why letting go of perfection might be your biggest mic-drop moment Whether you're karaoke-curious or a seasoned shower-singer, this episode is your permission slip to take up space, sing your heart out, and have fun doing it.   00:00 Intro: Why karaoke is a powerful tool for building confidence 00:42 The performing superpower and how we develop it 03:46 Real-life growth: Performing in everyday situations 08:10 Karaoke as practice: A safe, joyful way to build the performing superpower 09:54 Meet Ada Tseng, karaoke journalist and creator of the LA Times Karaoke Generator 14:44 Karaoke as culture, connection, and self-care 18:08 From stage fright to spotlight: Building confidence through song 24:44 What makes a great karaoke song and Lisa and Ada’s top tips 27:42 Letting go of perfection and having fun with it 33:30 Are women held to a higher standard? Making karaoke a judgment-free zone 38:57 The Gravitas team’s favorite karaoke songs 43:53 Final thoughts and Ada’s post-marathon karaoke celebration 46:23 Outro 46:41 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠Visit Our Website⁠ ⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠ ⁠Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Suggestions or Questions? Email Us. E-Mail: inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com 

In this special episode of In Confidence, Lisa shares the story of a tiny plaque on the Brooklyn Bridge that sparked a big realization: women have built the world we live in, but their names are often left out of the story. From Wi-Fi to Monopoly, dishwashers to life rafts, Lisa highlights five surprising everyday inventions created by women and why it’s time we give them the credit they’ve always deserved.   This episode is both a celebration and a reclamation. It’s a reminder that behind every great invention, there’s often a woman whose brilliance made it possible—even if she didn’t get the spotlight. Tune in and be inspired to not just honor the past, but to build boldly into the future.   00:00 Intro 01:40 The Inspiration Behind This Episode 02:10 Five Inventions That Were Created by Women 05:28 Even More Inventions You Didn’t Know Were Invented by Women 06:34 Final Thoughts 06:44 Outro 07:09 Disclaimer    Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠Visit Our Website⁠ ⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠ ⁠Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Suggestions or Questions? Email Us. E-Mail: inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com 

From performing in Rent and Aida to directing The Notebook and The Wiz, Schele Williams has built a legacy not only through what she’s accomplished, but through how she leads. In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa and Schele sit down to discuss how the discipline, heart, and conviction she’s carried through her career have shaped the way she shows up.   What You’ll Learn: Why representation behind the table can change the entire story. How to shift from scarcity to a purpose-driven mindset. What it takes to overcome stage fright and own your voice. Why your peers aren’t your competition, but your inspiration.   Whether you're navigating your own creative path or redefining leadership in any industry, this conversation is a masterclass that will leave you thinking bigger and rooting harder for the people around you.   00:00 Intro 00:43 Meet Schele Williams 01:44 Getting Started in the Arts 07:41Love for the Arts 09:21 Transitioning from Performer to Director 10:45 Her First Directing Opportunity 13:40 Comparing the Roles of Performer and Director 18:33 How Performing Shaped Her Directing Style 21:47 What She Had to Learn to Become a Great Director 23:08 Building Her Leadership Style 25:17 Handling Rejection and Staying Confident 28:28 The Power of Community and Peer Support 32:11 Creating Work You’re Proud Of (Even If Others Don’t Get It) 35:47 Learning to Lead Diverse Teams 38:50 Advice for Overcoming Stage Fright 41:46 Applying Storytelling Across Roles 43:49 How Broadway Is Evolving 50:22 Theater’s Role in Expanding Perspective 53:09 Breaking Barriers in Broadway Leadership 54:54 Writing Your Legacy for the Next Generation 57:20 What’s Ahead and Her Advice for Confidence 58:42 Outro   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠Visit Our Website⁠ ⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠ ⁠Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Suggestions or Questions? Email Us. E-Mail: inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com 

Before success happens in reality, it happens in the mind. Whether it’s sinking the game-winning shot or stepping confidently into a high-stakes meeting, elite performers don’t just hope for success, they start out by visualizing it. Dr. Wendy Borlabi, a high-performance expert and sport psychology consultant, has spent her career helping top athletes and leaders harness the power of mental preparation to perform at their peak.   In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa and Dr. Borlabi explore how your mindset shapes outcomes and the mental resilience required to stay focused under pressure and bounce back from setbacks.   Key takeaways include: * How visualization is a proven tool for peak performance. * The power of routines. * How reframing a fear of failure to a ‘win-win’ mindset can lead to breakthroughs. * The leadership qualities that foster an unstoppable team.   Success isn’t just about talent; it’s about training your mind to succeed. Whether you’re navigating high-pressure moments in sports, business, or everyday life, Dr. Borlabi’s insights will help you build confidence, stay composed, and turn challenges into opportunities.   00:00 Intro 02:00 Meet Dr. Wendy Borlabi 04:07 Love of Sports 08:04 Career in Sports Psychology 10:50 Techniques Shared with Elite Athletes 12:19 The Effectiveness of Routines 15:20 The Importance of Deep Breathing 16:48 How Openness Helps You Build Authentic Connections 19:04 Letting Resistance Play Out 25:37 The Power of Visualization 28:22 Life is About Perspective 29:41 Pulling the Best Out of Your Team 31:33 Women in Male-Dominated Fields 32:59 25 Ideas in 2025 to Accelerate Action for IWD 34:32 Outro 36:00 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠Visit Our Website⁠ ⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠ ⁠Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Suggestions or Questions? Email Us. E-Mail: inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com

April 1 marks the calendar for office mandates saying it’s time to go back to working in office 4 to 5 days a week. But for many, this return feels like more than a logistical shift. It’s emotional. It’s generational. And it’s bringing up big questions about purpose, productivity, and power. In this episode, Lisa unpacks why the return-to-office conversation hits such a nerve and how we can make this moment work for everyone.   We cover: Why returning feels so personal and what generational tensions have to do with it. The pros and cons of working from home vs in office. What employees and leaders can do to navigate this transition. How dressing for work has changed and how to find your new “power look” (yes, sneakers count). Whether you’re remote forever or back to a badge-in culture, this episode offers tangible strategies for navigating this modern workplace moment with confidence.   00:00 Intro 00:57 Why Are We Resisting This Return? 05:40 Lisa’s Playbook for Returning to the Office 11:22 Turning this Moment Into a Win-Win 12:10 Rethinking Leadership 20:30 It’s an “And,” Not an “Or” 22:38 What Is Your Resistance Telling You? 25:38 Dress for the Moment 28:13 Long-Term Vision 29:36 Outro 30:04 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠Visit Our Website⁠ ⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠ ⁠Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Suggestions or Questions? Email Us. E-Mail: inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com ⁠

In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa is joined by friends, Marybeth Coleman and Lauren Wolf, for a laugh-filled deep dive into romantasy: the genre where fantasy and romance collide. This once quietly passed–between–friends genre has turned into a full-blown cultural moment and offers much more than just dragons and slow-burn romance.   From the book boyfriends of Fourth Wing and the favorite tropes of A Court of Thorns and Roses to the ways these heroines help us reconnect with our own strength, navigate healing, and reflect on the relationships we choose, this is a cozy, candid conversation about why these wildly entertaining reads stick with us long after the final page.   00:00 Intro 02:47 Meet the Guests: Lauren & Marybeth 04:10 What Is Romantasy? 07:30 Lisa's Romantasy Algorithm   08:58 How We Got Hooked: Personal Journeys into the Genre 12:40 From Secret to Mainstream: Normalizing Romantasy 15:30 Yes, Men Read It Too 16:13 Why Women Love Romantasy 19:30 Empowering Heroines & Escapism 21:17 Reflections of Real Life: Adversity, Growth, and Relationships 25:44 From Streaming to Reading: A Shift in What We Crave 29:07 Rapid Fire: Tropes, Favorites, and More 30:21 The Book Boyfriend Phenomenon 37:03 How These Stories Challenge the Way We Live 38:23 Romance vs. Fantasy: Which One Elevates the Other? 40:10 The Community Effect: Romantasy as a Shared Experience 42:25 Outro 44:20 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠Visit Our Website⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠ ⁠Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Suggestions or Questions? Email Us. E-Mail: inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com ⁠

"The only way we're ever going to watch a women’s game the way it deserves to be watched is if we had our own place.” It was a passing comment made out of frustration, but for Jenny Nguyen, it sparked a vision that turned into The Sports Bra, the first-ever sports bar dedicated 100% to women’s sports. In this episode, Jenny, CEO and Founder of The Sports Bra, shares how that one moment changed everything, the risks and triumphs of building something groundbreaking, and why we’re witnessing a turning point for women’s sports.  “All the things I imagined The Sports Bra doing in 10 years, we did in year one. And I realized that I hadn’t dreamed big enough.” — Jenny Nguyen    00:00 Intro 01:17 Jenny Nguyen's Intro 3:00 Jenny's Life Story 6:14 Integrating Into American Culture and Growing Up With Sports In The Household 12:11 Love of Basketball; Being In A Team + Accessibility  15:33 What Sparked The Idea of he Sports Bra 24:52 Entrepreneurship; Tell Everyone Your Idea  27:18 A Chain Reaction of Support 32:17 Grand Opening Day 34:04 Vulnerability is Connection 36:44 What's Next For The Sports Bra 38:02 The Legacy of The Sports Bra 45:44 The Rise of Women's Sports 51:35 Equity in Women's Sports 54:17 Final Thoughts and Recap 55:04 Disclaimer   Wear Jenny's Quote in our Mosaic Collection The Sports Bra   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration: Visit Our Website Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback Follow Gravitas on Instagram Follow Lisa on Instagram Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn Suggestions or Questions? Email Us. E-Mail: inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com   For International Women's Day 2025, Gravitas has brought together 25 extraordinary leaders in business, sports, media, technology, and government to share bold ideas on how we can advance gender equality, NOW. The World Economic Forum predicts it will take 134 years to achieve gender equity at the current pace. 134 years is too long to wait. Get involved with our 25 Ideas in 2025 Accelerate Action campaign by heading to GravitasNewYork.com to download your very own Checklist of 25 Ideas or to buy our Corazon Suffragist blouse. For all of March, a portion of sales supports Catalyst, a non-profit helping to advance gender equity In the workplace.